Inadequate distribution of food, personal hygiene items and clothing The quantity and quality of the food provided to migrants greatly varied between detention centers. In Pagani detention center migrants received breakfast and two main meals per day, which included fresh vegetables and fruit. In Venna detention center the second main meal consisted of a sandwich, while in Filakio detention center food was distributed only twice a day. Migrants in Filakio detention center often complained about the limited quantity of food they received, saying that they kept the boiled eggs distributed during lunchtime for dinner. In the three detention centers religious dietary constraints were taken into consideration and no pork meat was served. However, individual health related dietary constraints, for example of patients with diabetes, were not adequately met. Special food for babies and infants was provided in Pagani detention center, following MSF intervention. In Filakio detention center, supplies of baby milk often ran out while other infant food was not provided at all. Food is distributed in the cells, even when a dining area is available, such as in Filakio. In Venna and Filakio no cutlery was provided, which forced people to eat with their hands. As a 16-year old Afghan adolescent told MSF, “In here it is so bad. It is very cold. In the cell where we are, the heating is broken for 3 days now. They do not give us forks and knives to eat the food. This is not Europe.” According to the Greek Correctional Code, detainees should receive the necessary personal hygiene items and bed linen and be provided with adequate clothing depending on the season.33 were organized distributions of clothing and shoes. The system was that of a first come first serve basis, which resulted in some people not receiving any clothing or shoes. In Venna detention center, the lack of clothing was an acute problem during the fall of 2009. Inadequate time outdoors In accordance with the Greek Correctional Code detainees have the right to outdoor physical exercise for at least one hour a day.34 However, in most detention centers access to the outdoors remained insufficient. The problem was most acute in Filakio and Pagani detention centers where migrants, with the exception of women and children, were not allowed to go outside in the yard for several weeks at a time or were only allowed outdoors for five to ten minutes daily.35 Police staff in the two detention centers said that the reasons for not allowing migrants to spend time outdoors were related to security risks. In Venna detention center migrants were allowed to go outside into the yard regularly, albeit not daily. After their number decreased significantly from March 2010 they were allowed outdoors for two hours each day. The limited opportunity for time outside in the fresh air was a serious concern for migrants who had to spend all the day in crammed cells without sufficient ventilation. During September 2009 in Pagani detention center, women who had not been allowed to spend time in the yard for over a week broke down the door of their cell in an attempt to get their children and themselves out into the fresh air. In the detention centers where MSF worked, especially in Filakio and Venna, the distribution of personal hygiene items, blankets, linen and clothing was irregular and often inadequate. Distributions often only took place following persistent complaints of migrants. Both in Venna and Filakio detention centers distributions are left to police officers, since no employees have been appointed by the prefecture. While soaps were being distributed more often, other sanitary items, including infant diapers and toilet paper were lacking. Distribution of specific items, such as razors and detergents with chlorine, depended on how individual police officers measured security risks. As a result, razors were distributed in small numbers and detainees mentioned that more people would end up using the same razor. In Pagani detention center prefecture employees distributed personal hygiene items to detainees upon arrival. Supplies were replenished every other week. When the center was very crowded, supplies were distributed more frequently. In none of the detention centers where MSF worked, there 11 © MSF