Greece plans 8 new prisons, Korydallos to relocate by 2030

Public Order and Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis outlined the plan during a televised interview, describing the reform as a long-term structural intervention aimed at addressing security challenges and chronic overcrowding.

Security Concerns After Domokos Incident

The announcement follows the killing of a high-profile inmate at Domokos Prison, an incident the minister described as “dangerous and deeply concerning.”

Chrisochoidis stated that the event accelerated ongoing efforts to modernize prison security systems and expand national detention capacity.

Korydallos to Move to Aspropyrgos

Under the new plan, Korydallos Prison — a symbolically and operationally significant facility located in the Athens urban area — will be relocated to Aspropyrgos by 2030.

The relocation aims to ease urban pressure, modernize infrastructure, and improve detention standards in line with European correctional frameworks.

Eight New Correctional Facilities Underway

Procedures have already begun for several of the new prison projects. Planned locations include:

• Filia
• Ioannina
• Megalopoli
• Western Macedonia

The minister confirmed that funding for the projects has been secured and that implementation processes are progressing.

He also noted that the most recently completed correctional facility in Greece is located in Drama, a project that required approximately ten years of preparation — highlighting the long-term planning required for such infrastructure investments.

Electronic Ankle Monitoring to Address Overcrowding

Chrisochoidis emphasized that prison overcrowding has reached critical levels, largely due to stricter sentencing legislation.

To alleviate pressure on the prison system, Greece will introduce electronic ankle monitoring in the coming days. The measure will allow certain low-risk offenders, under court approval, to serve their sentences at home under digital supervision.

The initiative is expected to reduce inmate populations while maintaining judicial oversight and public safety.