restricted the entry of natural light and prevented the ventilation of the area. The cells had sliding windows, but they would open upon the common (closed) area, resulting in detainees having no access to fresh air. Iron grids as well as a safety glass were also installed on the ceiling of the common areas where detainees exercise, thus preventing natural ventilation of these areas too. In addition, the detention centre did not provide an outdoor exercise area, thus detainees remained indoors for the entire duration of their detention without any contact with the outside world, natural light and fresh air. The visit also revealed that there were virtually no occupational means within the detention centre. The areas designed for the entertainment and exercise of detainees were almost empty - one table with a few seats, a television and some exercise equipment. The inspection of the files of detainees revealed that all detainees had access to medical care if and when required. However, a conversation between the Officers of the NPM and the detainees revealed that there was, in some cases, an excessive delay in the transfer of detainees to the hospital or to a physician. With regard to the visiting area, it was found to be particularly small and included just one desk with a few chairs. In addition, due to the location of this area - adjacent to the office of the members of the Emergency Response Unit - detainees were deprived, to a large extent, of their privacy during visits. Based on the above observations, the Commissioner concluded that the infrastructure of the Police Detention Centre of Pera Chorio Nisou, operating as a prison, had severe deficiencies and, for this reason, the place could not be deemed as compatible with the basic principles governing the treatment of detainees and the international standards for places of detention. 15