- 17 Further, it is stated in the letter that instructions had been issued for the repair of several police holding facilities with a view to improving conditions of detention. However, it is stressed that “a comprehensive solution of the problem will be achieved only with the construction of appropriate facilities in public buildings at the seat of every Police Directorate, which will meet the necessary requirements for the secure and safe custody of the detainees”. Such a solution is said to be currently sought in the context of a major Government project for the upgrading of the building infrastructure of the Greek Police. In the context of this project, plans have been made for buying a building of 9,000 m² (with a capacity of 468 persons) to be used to house the Aliens and Transfer Centre in Attica. A project is also under way for repairing the 70-person detention facilities at Athens Airport, and for the conversion of a building in Amygdaleza into a detention facility with an official capacity of 100 persons. Further, the implementation of a project for the construction of new detention cells at Feres Police Station is said to have begun. The CPT welcomes the positive response of the Greek authorities; it recommends that the above-mentioned measures be implemented without further delay. 35. In this connection, the Committee wishes to stress once again that in those cases when it is deemed necessary to deprive of their liberty for a prolonged period persons detained under the Aliens’ legislation, they should be accommodated in centres specifically designed for that purpose. Such centres should be adequately furnished (for example, beds or sleeping platforms, cupboards, tables and chairs), clean and in a good state of repair, and should provide sufficient living space for the persons likely to be detained. The design and layout of such premises should avoid, as far as possible, any impression of a carceral environment. As regards regime activities, they should include outdoor exercise, access to a recreation room and to radio/television and newspapers/magazines, as well as other appropriate means of recreation (e.g. board games, table tennis). The longer the period for which persons are detained, the more developed should be the activities which are offered to them. Further, such centres should have at least a medical room where any medical examinations or nursing care can be carried out under satisfactory material conditions and the confidentiality of medical examinations guaranteed. It would be highly desirable to have qualified nurses in regular attendance at such centres, who could, inter alia, manage and distribute the medicines needed by detainees. The CPT recommends that the Greek authorities take steps to bring conditions of detention in all the existing detention facilities specifically designed for holding illegal aliens into conformity with the above-mentioned requirements. These requirements should also be fully taken into account when setting up new detention facilities for illegal aliens. Further, the CPT requests the Greek authorities to provide a timetable for the implementation of the envisaged project for the upgrading, reconstruction and acquisition of facilities for the holding of illegal aliens. It would also like to be informed of the envisaged date of entry into service of the new detention cells at Feres Police Station.