- 50 143. The CPT notes in this connection that according to Rule 5 of the Code of basic rules for the
treatment of prisoners, prisoners are entitled to appeal in writing, without delay, to the superior
prison authority and, subsequently, to the court responsible for the execution of sentences "if
unlawful acts are committed against them or their rights are violated by any member of the staff of
the penal institution in which they are held". The CPT would like to be informed whether the
right to bring complaints about such matters before a court extends to remand prisoners.
It is also provided that the director of a penal institution shall forward without delay all
reports and letters from prisoners addressed to any public authority "without ascertaining the
content thereof".
144. The Ministry of Justice has its own Directorate of Inspections which from time to time
organises visits to prisons; however, inevitably, a considerable time might elapse between visits by
the Inspectorate to a given establishment. Further, prison establishments are visited by a local public
prosecutor, who the delegation was told is empowered to receive complaints from prisoners nevertheless, his principal function is apparently to deal with matters such as conditional release.
In this connection, the CPT considers that it might be desirable to create a visiting
committee (composed of members of the public, acting in an independent capacity) for each prison
establishment, with responsibility for undertaking regular visits (preferably weekly and at least
monthly) and authority to enter all the premises and talk freely with any prisoner (in order to
receive any complaints). Such a committee would no doubt submit reports to the director of the
establishment, but should also be empowered, where necessary, to report directly to a higher level
of authority.
The CPT would welcome the Greek authorities' comments on this subject.
e.
separation of different categories of prisoners
145. The CPT's delegation found that prisoners tended to be allocated living accommodation
without regard to their legal status, offence or length of sentence. This was particularly the case at
the Korydallos Womens Prison and Larissa Prison, where, for example, the delegation found
remand prisoners sharing dormitories with convicted prisoners serving very long - and even life sentences.
146. No doubt this was largely a result of the pressures resulting from severe overcrowding.
Nevertheless, such mixes of prisoners can be - and certainly were at the Womens Prison in
Korydallos - a source of resentment and inter-personal tension. Further, it is clear that under these
circumstances it is very difficult to provide long-term prisoners with the sort of regime (and more
specifically an individualised activities programme) to which they are entitled.
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