PRISONS The infirmary was equipped with the minimum necessary equipment but there was a rural doctor available on a daily basis, apart from the days he was on duty at the Hospital of Kos. Visiting doctors (a dermatologist and a dentist) were also available. However, the local hospital did not have a psychiatrist and the private psychiatrist of the island did not wish to provide his services to the detention facility. Prisoners were thus transferred to the Psychiatric Hospital in Korydallos. As an improvised solution, a military psychiatrist was seeing prisoners on certain days but there was no one to replace him in case he took a leave. Access to medication was adequate with the 25 exception of prescribed psychiatric medication due to the local Citizen Service Center's denial to issue social security numbers26 to third-country nationals who did not have a passport and tax identification number. As there were no social and psychological support services, the prison director had personally undertaken the relevant duties. Moreover, the fact that the notice of vacancies issued by the Supreme Council for the Selection of Personnel (ASEP) did not include positions for doctors, social workers, health care workers nor psychologists reinforced our perception of institutional abandonment. Furthermore, there were no permanent or long-term vocation, training or sports programs; there was no school, despite some efforts to establish one, and the local community was not willing to volunteer. Furthermore, the detainees' needs for personal hygiene products were met with donations and contributions of the local church. Visiting areas seemed adequate but the frequency of visiting hours was disappointing apparently due to the facility's remote location. As there were no metal detectors in the newcomers' area, if there was a tip or suspicion that someone was smuggling drugs into the facility, detainees went 27 through a very thorough body search . A request for the acquisition of a metal detector arch was still pending as this required a relevant study from the competent region office in order to ensure that the required standards were met. The majority of temporary release requests were granted. In fact, the prison applied a commendable practice and granted temporary releases to detainees who remained in hotels in Kos and had the opportunity to spend time with their family. 25 The aforementioned drugs are indicated with a double red line positioned diagonally on the package label and are containing narcotic substances. 26 Known as AMKA in Greek 27 This is also the case with detainees after open visiting hours. 29