ANNUAL SPECIAL REPORT 2017 33 Individual inspections and observations Police Station cells of Chios (29th August 2017) At the time of inspection, 11 persons were detained (10 men and one young woman), in two separate spaces. More specifically, men were held in the typical cells with a common entrance space, while the woman (a Syrian national) in a room designated as space (1 cell) for short term detention. All inspections were held for illegal stay and most were at pre-removal stage. Several were being held for more than one month, as return procedures delay and there is no Pre-removal center on the island. No criminal detainees were present at the time of inspection, but we were informed that in such cases (usually due to transfer to the detention facility) the cell for short term detention is used. At the time of inspection, most detainees were agitated and reported several problems. They reported specifically that the place is usually especially dirty, but had been cleaned hastily at the day of our visit. They also reported suffering from parasites a few exhibited bug bites on their hands and body. The cells have a capacity of 18 persons. Beds are built-in out of concrete, narrow, with slim mattresses and very close to each other. Many mattresses and bed linen were of poor condition and extremely dirty. Other mattresses, sheets, blankets and linen were stacked on the ground in various spots for no apparent reason. Cells are on the ground floor, neighboring a fenced yard of a few square metres, which is used for yard time. This small space is limited even more by stacking of various objects, probably by Way of a storeroom. The alternative for yard space is the public waiting room, which is also a closed space, much like the cells, but has large opaque windows that allow more natural light. Despite high temperatures on the day of the inspection, the cells’ temperature was good, as there is air conditioning, but there was a strong odor of closed space. Some of the toilets (1 toilet and 1 shower in each cell) were in mediocre state and some of them in poor state. At the time of inspection no hot water was available, as the solar heater provides hot water for a few hours daily. The detainees mentioned that the food rations were small and that they did not like the food. Police officials claimed that meals are provided by catering companies, which alternate every month and that the sum of EUR 5,87amounts to each detainee for daily meals. An NGO whose name was not mentioned provides a croissant, while breakfast offered daily is the same as the one given at the VIAL camp. Finally, the detainees reported that they are not provided with adequate

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents