ANNUAL SPECIAL REPORT 2017 45 on-site inspections thereof are depicted in the relevant reports, with the present report focusing on detention conditions themselves, while the report on returns examines issues regarding reception and asylum procedures, as well as the lawfulness (justification, duration, alternative measures) of aliens’ administrative detention. In 2017, the Authority’s teams visited Pre-removal Centres that operate formally under the existing legal frame (Tavros on 26th January, Amygdaleza in Attiki on 13th February, Corinth on 3d July, Moria in Lesvos on 31st August, Paranestion in Drama on 28th November, Xanthi on 29th November, Fylakio in Orestiada on 1st December), as well as one that formally constitutes a police station detention space, but in fact operates as a Pre-removal Centre (Nea Menemeni in Thessaloniki on 7th February & 20th November). Apart from the above full on-site inspections, there have been occasional observations from successive visits throughout the year at detention spaces (Tavros, Moria in Lesvos, Thessaloniki), that are starting points for return monitoring convoys. Those visits confirmed some of the problems highlighted in the previous report, such as detention in spaces stretched to their limits or unsuitable according to European standards (article 16 of Returns Directive and article 3 of the ECHR). However, in certain Pre-removal Centres living conditions have definitely improved compared to previous visits. The number of detainees has been significantly reduced and the duration of detention usually does not extend to over six months, as was the case in the past. Furthermore, there are now very few cases of persons detained after having lived in the country for years with a legitimate residence permit and only forfeited legitimate status due to failure to renew the permit or the asylum-seeker pass on time. Total lack of medical staff is a common problem in almost all Pre-removal Centres, and it appears only partially resolved when there are local hospitals nearby. Another common problem is the lack of interpreters, psychologist and social workers. Finally, it appears that the problem in Pre-removal Centres co-existing with reception and identification services has not been adequately understood, given that, instead of efforts to separate the two, in 2017 two new Pre-removal Centres were created in Kos and Samos (the latter not yet operating). The basic problems of Pre-removal Centres, particularly overcrowding, short or no yard time and fragmented healthcare due to termination of the contract with the Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO), have been highlighted in the Special Report2 titled “Migration flows and refugee protection – administrative challenges and human rights”, published in April 2017 based on findings up until the beginning of that year. 2. www.synigoros.gr/resources/docs/greek_ombudsman_migrants_refugees_2017-el.pdf