A/HRC/16/52/Add.4
Nigrita, Serres, with a capacity of 700, reportedly part of a Greek government plan to
construct more detention facilities. It is his hopes that the planned constructions in Drama
and Chania will be completed as scheduled in 2012.
52.
In Komotini and Kos Prisons, the Special Rapporteur welcomed positively the
willingness and the commitment of their directors to raise funds, to create partnerships with
private firms and to utilize the technical skills of the prisoners to make the best of the
situation. It constituted a best practice as it allowed for a real possibility of rehabilitation. In
Komotini Prison, the detainees built the entire visitors room and furniture for the prison,
while the gym was equipped with donations from fitness centres. In Kos, prisoners
decorated the facility with paintings and murals and were allowed to practice various sports
on a daily basis. In both these prisons, the detainees complained much less about their
conditions, although in Komotini the facility was holding more than three times its
capacity, and in Kos twice its capacity.
3.
Psychiatric and medical institutions
53.
The situation in terms of health care provided to detainees raised a number of
substantial concerns. Generally, an appropriate health care system for detainees is lacking,
and the quality of the health care provided was not in conformity with European and
international standards. Most of the doctors who visit the prisons were very inexperienced
and lack the specialization and training to work in these conditions. In the majority of
situations, the forensic expert observed shortages of health care staff, of modern medical
diagnostic tools and equipment, of adequate health care facilities and of therapeutic drugs
adapted to the variety of health problems usually seen in the detainee’s population. Of the
limited supply of medications that were kept in the facilities, many of the drugs had expired
or were near the expiry date.
54.
Apart from Korydallos, with its own hospital, detainees who required specific
medical treatment had to go to an external hospital. Thus, due to a lack of staff detainees
sometimes have to wait for days to receive adequate medical attention.
55.
In most detention facilities visited, psychiatric evaluations were not performed on a
routine basis. Despite a ministerial decision37 that grants conditional release to detainees
suffering from certain illnesses and disabilities, the Special Rapporteur found several
detainees with a condition.
56.
In addition, law 2525/1997 established “Schools of Second Chance” and there are
sixteen treatment centres for drug addiction (including one in a juvenile facility). The
Special Rapporteur learned that a methadone programme is under consideration and that the
Government will set up an expert committee to evaluate this in the two largest prisons.
Following the Special Rapporteur’s visit, the Expert Commission was established on 27
December 2010 under Ministerial Decision No. 127183.
57.
Outside of the prison system, the Special Rapporteur wishes to stress the positive
impression he received of the Alexandroupoli Hospital Psychiatric Clinic and he welcomes
the practice of involuntary patients not being kept apart in isolation areas.
37
14
Ministerial Decision 164484/2009 (GG B 52/2010).
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