- 28 48. In line with the CPT’s observations during its 2019 visit, at Nigrita Prison, a normal day shift had only eight custodial officers, a deputy Chief Guard and the Chief Guard on duty for 719 prisoners accommodated across 20 landings (floors) and the separate disciplinary unit. This is clearly insufficient for the prison to operate efficiently taking into account that officers had to be placed in the control booths of the five operational wings and at least one in the central control office. Officers were needed for escorts to the school, health care and workplaces and for managing new admissions and departures. A single custodial officer sat alone in a sombre booth between the two units of a wing, supervising more than 130 prisoners by looking at several computer screens for hours on end. This is hardly an approach which can lead to the development of supportive relationships with prisoners and represents the opposite of a dynamic security approach. Moreover, it is not only dangerous for both prisoners and staff but also negligent of the welfare of the custodial officers concerned. 49. At Korydallos Men’s Prison, nothing has been done to improve the numbers of custodial staff within the prison since the 2019 visit. With an overall complement of 133 custodial officers, an optimal day shift consisted of around 33 officers (including three assistant chief guards) supervising the wings, yards, corridors, kitchen, visiting areas, infirmary, stores, school and security. For a population of 1,885 prisoners, such staffing numbers are dangerously and irresponsibly low. The five large accommodation wings continued to have only one or two custodial officers responsible for supervising 238 to 449 prisoners. Such a state of affairs represents a dereliction of the duty of care invested in the State when it deprives a person of their liberty as well as placing the staff member in a situation where he cannot exert any authority and must consider his own safety. Indeed, a single custodial officer can only “manage” the wing with the support of several prisoners who sign on and off the wing and with the authority of the leaders among prisoners. 50. The custodial officer staffing levels in the other prisons visited were less dramatic. At Corfu Prison, there was a complement of 62 custodial officers (including the Chief Officer) in place with 12 vacancies for a prisoner population of 227. Nevertheless, the management was particularly concerned that staff had accumulated over 1,000 hours of overtime which had not been compensated. At Chios Prison, 31 of 40 custodial officer positions were filled and, at Kos Prison, 28 of 38 positions. Such numbers would be acceptable if the prisons were not so severely overcrowded. The CPT recommends that steps be taken to fill the vacant positions of custodial officer as soon as possible in all three prisons. 51. The Greek authorities informed the CPT’s delegation that the 2017 recruitment process for custodial officers had been delayed as apparently the physical fitness tests could not be organised during the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, by communication of 7 January 2022, the Ministry of Citizens Protection informed the CPT that on 28 December 2021, the results for 557 positions within the Ministry had been approved and that a further 381 planned positions had also been approved. This is welcome news. Nevertheless, it is not clear whether all these recruited positions are for the prisons and, even if they are, it remains largely insufficient to ensure a full complement of custodial staff in all prisons.