Dialogos

PSSSE Meeting with Justice Minister to Strengthen Community Service

Published March 4, 2026, 12:03
PSSSE Meeting with Justice Minister to Strengthen Community Service

A meeting was held on February 26th between the President of the Pan-Cypriot Coordinating Council of Volunteering (PSSSE) and its representatives with the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Kostas Fytiris, to discuss ways to strengthen community service as an alternative form of punishment. The discussion focused on alleviating prison overcrowding and the role of the Crime Council in addressing modern challenges. According to the information presented, the majority of participants in the Voluntary Community Work (KEXA) program are Cypriot men aged 21-25 who have been convicted of traffic offenses. To date, over 6,000 people have participated in the program, accumulating a total of more than 401,000 hours of community service. The Minister of Justice thanked the PSSSE for their cooperation and assured them of his support for their work. It was also confirmed the mutual intention to continue close cooperation, which will be sealed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in the near future. The meeting highlights the importance of community service as an alternative form of punishment and the effort to alleviate prison overcrowding and strengthen social responsibility.