- 30 2. Ill-treatment 58. At Alicarnassos, Khania and Korydallos Prisons the delegation received no allegations and found no other evidence - of ill-treatment of prisoners by staff. Moreover, it observed that relations between inmates and staff were generally of a positive nature. By contrast, some complaints of ill-treatment were heard at Malandrino Prison. Several inmates alleged that they had been treated roughly by staff (e.g. pushed or slapped) and verbally abused. Further, one prisoner claimed that, several weeks before the visit, he had been removed from his cell at night and taken to an office, where prison officers had punched and kicked him; the prisoner concerned indicated that he might have created some disturbance that night prior to the alleged ill-treatment, due to his mental state and his propensity to harm himself. The CPT recommends that, at the earliest opportunity, the authorities at central and local level deliver to staff at Malandrino Prison the clear message that both physical illtreatment and verbal abuse of prisoners are not acceptable and will be dealt with severely. 59. The CPT recognises that prison staff will, on occasion, have to use force to control violent and/or recalcitrant prisoners. However, the force used should be no more than is strictly necessary and, once prisoners have been brought under control, there can be no justification for striking them. The Committee recommends that prison officers at Malandrino Prison be reminded of these precepts. The CPT would also stress the importance of appropriate training in control and restraint techniques (i.e. manual control). The possession of such skills will enable staff to choose the most appropriate response when confronted with difficult situations, thereby significantly reducing the risk of injuries to both prisoners and staff. This, in turn, is likely to lead to a decrease in the number of complaints of ill-treatment made by inmates. The CPT recommends that training in control and restraint techniques be made available to all prison officers. 60. More generally, the CPT wishes to recall the importance of the adequate recruitment and training (both initial and in-service) of prison staff (cf. CPT/Inf (94)) 20, paragraph 103). There is no better safeguard against ill-treatment than properly recruited and trained prison staff who know how to adopt the appropriate attitude in their relations with prisoners. In this regard, developed inter-personal communication skills are an essential part of the make-up of such staff. Such skills will often enable them to defuse situations which could otherwise turn into violence, and will help to reduce tensions and improve the quality of life in the prison concerned, to the benefit of all. It might be added that exposure to highly stressful or violent situations can generate psychological reactions and disproportionate behaviour; in order to counter these negative effects, prison staff exposed to highly stressful or violent situations should be provided appropriate support. It should also be emphasised in this context that developing good relations between prison staff and prisoners will not only reduce the risk of ill-treatment but also enhance control and security. In turn, it will render the work of prison staff more rewarding.