PRE-REMOVAL DETENTION CENTERS persons were held, we faced a situation of complete abandonment: cracked unpainted walls, damaged plumbing with constant leaks, destroyed furniture, evident lack of cleaning services and intense odor. The wards had no doors, they were covered with improvised curtains and detainees complained about skin conditions. 4.c.4. Thessaloniki Pre-removal Detention Center In this case, the cells of the Directorate of third-country nationals were improperly used as a pre-removal detention center. In fact, the Mechanism had pointed out 42 in the past that the layout of the building did not allow for a yard area for the detainees. Furthermore, the provision of built-in beds in cells seemed to pose problems for the structural integrity of the building and thus, detainees were forced to sleep on mattresses that were placed in rows on the ground. During the day of our inspection, nine minors and 55 adults were detained. Adults were detained for 20 to 30 days in average and minors up to three weeks. The former usually received a return decision and their detention was lifted, provided there were no other pending issues, and the latter were sent to facilities for minors when there were openings. Detainees remained locked in their cells (each had two toilets and one shower) without out-of-cell time and without access to the hallway in front of the cells. They smoked inside their cells. Pay phones were available in front of the cells, which were often damaged or destroyed because parts were difficult or impossible to find for old models. There were seven TV sets available. The detainees slept on the floor and they were given blankets that were only occasionally disinfected. Mattresses and blankets seemed old and dirty. There were no built-in beds because of the structural integrity of the building. Cleaning services were provided seven times a week from a cleaning agency but at the time of the inspection the detainees cleaned their own cells with sanitation products that were distributed to them by the administration. Garbage bags were placed on the bars of each cell. There was shortage in sanitation equipment and materials, clothes and shoes. There was an air conditioning system for the summer and central heating for the winter, but the fuse box could not support the electric load when all air-condition units functioned at the same time. Furthermore, the boiler could not support all hot water demand and thus, detainees 42 The Greek Ombudsman, National Preventive Mechanism Against Torture and Ill-treatment - Annual Special Report 2018, https://www.synigoros.gr/resources/annual-special-report2018-national-preventive-mechanism-against-torture-and-ill-treatment.pdf 51