Abstract: A discontinuously operated centrifuge, in particular sugar or starch centrifuge, includes a rotating, cylindrical centrifuge basket having a casing provided with openings and having an upper open end. An inner screen element formed as a composite unit of a screen mat and a support mat is insertable as a prefabricated, single-piece screen element into the centrifuge basket via the upper open end thereof. The screen element has ends abutting in a circumferential direction within the centrifuge basket, with axially extending end strips attached to the abutting ends of the screen element. A closure element in the form of an axially extending clamping strip cooperates with the end strips so as to lock and radially brace the screen element against the centrifuge basket casing. Attached on the centrifuge basket is an upper limiting flange, with an annular cover being screwed onto an upper limiting flange for securing the screen element.