Oh yes, we didn't live in the roman caves - though you could easily access them when I was there, but there was some kind of fence yes.. The caves we lived in are "behind" the village, on the way to "the red beach". there were people who had stayed there for 5 years or more!
Actually I remember now, I did sleep one night in those roman caves - but it was a bit creepy as they are supposed to be graves..! the other caves are just natural ones.
I'll check out your post - if you want you can read my post about matala too here