- 28 60. For the vast majority of inmates in all the prisons visited, there was absolutely nothing with which to occupy their days other than watching television and walking in the yards. None of the prisons visited had any sort of organised sports activities or gyms. Only at Thiva Prison were efforts being made to develop a range of activities for prisoners, which is positive and should be encouraged. 61. The authorities must take proactive measures if they want to avert the prison system from becoming an even greater breeding ground for criminality. As prisoners approach release into the community they need to be prepared for that step, to possess a degree of self-worth and to feel capable of leading a life away from crime. A regime which provides for varied activities is a vital component in the preparation for release, as well as being beneficial for the running of the prison. The CPT calls upon the Greek authorities to improve substantially the programmes of activities on offer to inmates (both remand and sentenced), including educational opportunities, in all the prisons visited. 4. Female juvenile unit at Thiva Prison 62. The CPT considers that female juveniles deprived of their liberty ought to be held in detention centres specifically designed for persons of this age, offering regimes tailored to their needs and staffed by persons trained in dealing with the young. Further, special attention must also be paid to the specific medical needs of female juveniles in detention. The CPT’s delegation noted that certain measures had been taken to improve the regime offered to female juveniles at Thiva Prison, notably, access to school, dance classes and a painting workshop. Further, the yard had been renovated and equipment installed to enable basket ball and volley ball to be played. Efforts should be made to build on these developments. Further, the juvenile unit should have staff specifically assigned to it; at the time of the visit this was not the case and the young persons were left completely to their own devices. The CPT reiterates its recommendation that the Greek authorities put in place a properly resourced facility or unit for female juvenile prisoners; it should have a childcentred approach, offer a purposeful regime and be staffed by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals.