20
THE GREEK OMBUDSMAN
are two (2) nurses and two (2) inmates act as nurse’s assistants. The Facility also has three (3) social workers and two (2) psychologists. There
is a second chance school operating, while an afternoon school shift and
high school are in the immediate plans.
A visit was also made at the therapeutic community KETHEA PROMETHEUS, operating inside the General Detention Facility of Thessaloniki (Diavata Prison), which was inaugurated, on 2.11.2015. This is the first
rehabilitation unit operating in a Greek prison and it occupies a separate
ward of the Facility, providing members with the opportunity to attend the
program daily, without returning to the cells with the rest of the inmates.
For this reason, prisoners remain in their cells only during morning count
and during the night. The two-storey ward where the unit is accommodated has been appropriately modelled by KETHEA and has a ground
floor kitchen area, dining room, meeting halls and a separate yard and
sports area. On the first floor there are three-person cells. The inmates
themselves are responsible for cleaning the ward and meal preparation.
Although the unit has a capacity of 84 persons, only 22 inmates attend the
program currently, while KETHEA has not been able to identify the cause
of this limited appeal. Prisoners who complete the program successfully
may become therapists themselves, which can be used as a motive to
others, while, as a therapist participating to the program highlighted,
attendance should not be interrupted even in the case of a relapse, as it
is essential for treatment. Of course, this has to be specially stipulated
by law. The program has two shifts and 4 therapists, aided by volunteers
and attendance is counted in the beneficial calculation of the penalty,
with every day of incarceration being calculated as two. Finally, there
are exercising, computer, Greek language and literature classes offered
participants may join a KETHEA reintegration structure after their release.
The program is highly appreciated by the Ombudsman. In addition, extension of its operation to its full capacity is highly recommended so that
many more addicted prisoners may have this benefit.
Chios Detention Facility
At the time of inspection, there were a hundred and twenty nine (129) prisoners, with the capacity of the Facility being eighty two (82) inmates. As
observed in previous reports, we once again stress the problems caused
by the building’s age. Nonetheless, we should note the renovation of the
kitchen area and the expansion of the total area by the creation of a shelter.
Improvements include the fact that there are no more underage inmates and
no prisoner is forced to sleep on the floor. However, mattresses are still in
bad condition and need to be replaced, while bed-bugs are still a major issue.
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