Greece signs deal for new 600-inmate prison in Megalopolis

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended the signing of a programmatic agreement on Thursday for the construction of a new prison in Megalopolis. He said the city is no longer hearing another promise but is seeing concrete signatures.

The new facility will have a capacity of up to 600 inmates across different security levels. It will combine a general-type prison with an industrial and agricultural facility on a single site to support inmate reintegration through work, education, and production.

“Today is an important day, because Megalopolis is not hearing another promise. It sees concrete signatures.”

The project budget is 40 million euros, funded by the Just Transition Development Program 2021-2027. It will be built on 124 stremmata within the lignite decarbonization zone.

Planned facilities include detention wings, production units, visiting areas, a clinic, psychological support spaces, classrooms, training rooms, a library, an IT room, administrative buildings, a kitchen, a church, and sports facilities.

The government expects the project to improve detention conditions in line with European standards, decongest existing prisons, and create jobs during construction and operation. Deputy Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Papathanasis and Deputy Citizen Protection Minister Giannis Lampropoulos also signed the agreement.

Mitsotakis linked the investment to the broader need to create jobs and attract investment in the region after decarbonization. Oikonomikos Tachydromos reported that a separate hydroponics investment of more than 130 million euros was also announced, with the government expecting it to enter a support scheme by the end of the year.