- 14 26. As in 1997, none of the police establishments visited possessed the necessary facilities to enable detainees to take exercise in the open air. Further, despite the fact that foreign nationals can spend lengthy periods of time in police custody, no provision had been made to offer them any activities or means of distraction. This is all the more unsatisfactory in view of the fact that there were a number of young children and juveniles amongst the detainees seen by the delegation. 27. Finally, it should be noted that in all the police stations visited, there was a shortage of female police staff in the areas for women. b. detention facilities specifically designed for holding illegal aliens 28. At the beginning of the visit, the CPT’s delegation was informed that the Hellenikon Holding Centre for Aliens at Athens Airport had been closed down two months previously for a major refurbishment, and detainees transferred to various police establishments in Attica. The CPT would like to be informed of the progress made towards completing the refurbishment, and the envisaged date of re-opening of the Centre. 29. The new Holding Centre for Aliens in Piraeus, which had been in service for about a year, was found to be in an acceptable state of repair and cleanliness. On the day of the visit, the establishment was operating at its official capacity of 56 places. The majority of the foreign nationals had spent 2 to 3 months at the Centre. There were a total of fourteen bar-fronted cells (12 m²), each designed for 4-person occupancy. As already described in the report on the 1997 visit when the CPT’s delegation visited the still non-operational Centre - the cells had only limited access to natural light (coming through a window in the corridor linking the cells), the artificial lighting was poor and ventilation left something to be desired. On a positive note, the sanitary facilities were of a good standard (although the supply of hot water had apparently been a problem in the summer). The delegation heard a lot of complaints concerning the provision of food, which was said to be of poor quality, cold and served only once a day (sometimes only once every two days). No arrangements had been made to enable detainees to take outdoor exercise. During the day, they could stroll along the corridor between the cells. Further, save for a small TV set located in the corridor, there was no possibility for detainees to engage in recreational or other activities. 30. The holding facilities at Athens Airport (East Terminal) for foreign nationals who are not authorised to enter the country were described in detail in the report on the 1997 visit. Despite certain deficiencies, such as lack of natural light, the two separate areas for men and for women were well maintained and of an adequate standard for short periods of stay. The delegation was told that foreign nationals were in principle not held there for more than a week. However, two of the persons present in the area had already spent 15 to 20 days in detention. Further, although the facilities were not overcrowded at the time of the visit (only 3 men and 2 women being present), an examination of the register revealed that in the recent past up to 20 persons had been held in the facilities at one time.