- 58 e. transfer of prisoners 133. In the course of the visit the delegation’s attention was drawn to the fact that a great number of prisoners were constantly being moved around the country from one prison to another or for court appearances. The constant transfer of prisoners from one institution to another is disruptive both for the person in question as well as for other prisoners and staff; moreover, it prevents social integration and promotes a sense of alienation within the individual, which is likely to lead to the prisoner becoming more and more difficult to manage. Governors explained that they had to make space to receive new inmates and thus they used the transfer system as a means of dealing with available capacity and maintaining order within the prison. The CPT acknowledges that operational considerations may exceptionally require such measures. However, it would be desirable to avoid as far as possible the needless uprooting of prisoners, even bearing in mind the chronic overcrowding in the prisons. The CPT would appreciate the Greek authorities' comments on this matter. 134. Further, the conditions in the vehicles in which these transfers took place, with up to four prisoners being placed in a cubicle measuring scarcely 2 m² for periods of up to seven hours, were unacceptable. Cubicles of such a size should never hold more than three persons, and preferably no more than two persons. The delegation also heard complaints that often there were no rest stops during the journeys, and that some of the older vehicles had poor ventilation and frequently broke down. The CPT recommends that conditions under which prisoner transport takes place be reviewed in the light of the above remarks. In particular, the cubicle occupancy rate should be reduced, and regular rest-stops should be ensured. Further, all transport vehicles should be sufficiently lit and ventilated and heated appropriately.