those detained did indeed seem more hopeful. But soon after the delegations were gone, the situation always went back to its normal state of affairs, where dirt, the smell of urine and sweat and severe overcrowding prevailed. The smell of the fresh paint always lingered for days to remind us and those behind bars of the carefully applied deception. The cover-up has been observed elsewhere too. In 2011, during a mission in Evros, representatives from ProAsyl noticed an ongoing renovation process in the facilities in Evros (Fylakio, Tychero, Soufli and Feres). Similar to the vignette above, ‘the cells were painted, toilet bowls and showers were replaced, new clean blankets were given’, and detainees were transferred to centres in other regions or were released (ProAsyl, 2012, p. 9). A week later a delegation from the European Commission visited the Evros region. However, the veil drawn over the actual conditions that detainees and staff were exposed to at the borders did not go unnoticed. In a press release after the visit in Evros in 2011, the Federation of the Borderguards of Evros stated ‘Very suddenly money was found (for the renovation) and the number of detainees decreased. Within three days the facilities were painted, the plumbing was repaired and release papers were given generously. And all this for what? So that European monitors see a virtual reality? Why did they not leave things as we live them on daily basis?’, they demanded.78 The previous chapters have established the extent and frequency of human rights violations inside detention facilities. This has been a bleak story about torture, suffering and neglect. However, the question remains; how did Greece end up creating and nurturing such a monstrous institution? While passing reference has been made as to how the authorities have managed to deflect criticism, this chapter and the next will explain in greater detail the mechanisms through which the detention system in Greece has been insulated against any possible threats to its survival and thriving. In other words, it provides an account of resistance to change. The first section of this chapter focuses on police as the major stakeholder inside detention and the role they have played in managing detention. In doing so, I aim to explore how detention staff rely on forms of violence in their day-to-day work; thus, further illuminating For the link to their statement, see Bloko.gr (2011) [in Greek]. This is not the first time border guards have complained about the situation at the borders. The website of the Federation of Border guards contains all their statements to the press dating back to 2011, see Posyfy (n.d.). A report by CPT (2010) further includes details about the perspective of border guards. 78 125