As noted in an open letter by 32 Refugee Education Coordinators (RECs) working in the camps in May 2023: ‘[W]here either the model of "Closed Controlled Centers" (CAACs), such as in Samos, Leros and Kos, or the "Reception and Identification Centres" (RICs), such as in Diavata, Malakasa or Fylakio, Evros, is already applied, or even where the so-called 'controlled' living model is promoted, such as in the various 'Controlled Facilities for Temporary Accommodation of Asylum Applicants' (particularly) in the mainland, extremely damaging conditions are created for the wellbeing of both the refugee children themselves and their families in general. These conditions create, first of all, anxiety for the psychosocial and learning development of the children we support and, secondly, discomfort, giving us the feeling that we are now working in an 'open prison' environment.’1011 As further noted in their letter,1012 this model of reception, which as stressed by the RECs inter alia amounts to applicants’ accommodation “in particularly remote areas and their enclosure by three-meterhigh concrete walls […]; the creation of more and more internal, separate, clusters-cages for the different functions, which are shielded with double fencing and scaled wire mesh and guarded by private security companies; [and] the rapid understaffing of social and health services in terms of scientific staff, interpreters/translators, etc. and the parallel increase in security staff”, also inter alia: ❖ Creates insurmountable practical obstacles in children’s and young persons’ access to formal education, due to the distance between their place of residence from urban centers where public schools operate, ❖ Drastically limits possibilities to maintain communication with schoolmates and more broadly people of a similar age, given social integration activities that take place in the context of education become impossible, due to their isolation and the parallel inability of non-residents to access [the camps], ❖ prevents refugee parents and guardians from communicating with their children's teachers and with the parents and guardians of children in the local communities, thus nullifying one of the fundamental functions of the educational community, ❖ creates a suffocating living environment for children and their families, as well as for all those living in spatial isolation, which creates a series of intense psychopathological consequences and reproduces social stigma. As underlined by the Greek Ombudsperson’s in his 2024 report,1013 “most of these facilities are located outside urban areas, often in remote locations […]. This creates clear challenges in terms of access to goods and services, and foster a strong sense of isolation of residents from local communities”. The Ombudsperson further noted that: ❖ ‘Several facilities, including Schisto, Serres, Lagadikia, and Malakasa, are surrounded by high concrete fences, while in places like Diavata RIC and Lagadikia, the barriers are topped with barbed wire. Additionally, CCTV systems have been installed at the gates and around the perimeters of these facilities. In the Diavata RIC, cameras are also installed in public areas. Facilities such as Fylakio RIC, Malakasa, Chios, and the Samos CCAC centre are encircled by double fencing, ending in NATO-type barbed wire. In some facilities, barbed wire fences are used to separate accommodation cells from administrative and technical support buildings, as seen in Lagadikia and Serres.’ ❖ ‘All temporary accommodation structures, including the two RICs in mainland, are surrounded by high concrete fences.’ 1011 1012 1013 and H.A. and others (Application No. 4892/18) GROUP of cases, April 2025, available at: https://tinyurl.com/yzdmexdk, paras. 52-58. The letter was inter alia published by EfSyn. See EfSyn, RECs: Educational integration of refugee children does not fit in closed centres, 11 May 2023, available in Greek at: https://tinyurl.com/4mes767c. Ibid. Greek Ombudsperson, "The Challenge of Migratory Flows and Refugee Protection - Reception Conditions and Procedures", 26 April 2024, available at: https://tinyurl.com/3s9yfxue, 25 and 41. 211