- 38 d.
deaths of persons detained in the Korydallos Prison Complex
76.
In the course of the visit, the delegation learned about a significant number of deaths that had
occurred in the previous two years in the Korydallos Prison Complex and notably in the Psychiatric
Hospital for Prisoners where there had been 19 deaths since the beginning of 2019.
The delegation’s forensic doctor examined a number of autopsy reports drawn up following
the deaths which revealed serious deficiencies in the quality of post-mortem examinations concerning
the absence of important indicators (weight and measurement of organs), photographs not
systematically taken nor properly indexed, lack of histological studies, lengthy delays in the
completion of the autopsy and conclusions not supported by the evidence (such as toxicological
results). In one case, the body of the deceased person contained post-mortem rodent bites on both
hands, his cheek, both lower extremities and the right side of the abdomen.
Further, upon visiting the Forensic Bureau of Piraeus which is responsible for carrying out
autopsies of deaths at the Korydallos Prison Complex, it became apparent that there were no national
standards for the completion of autopsies. In addition, the fact that a single forensic medical doctor
and a technician were responsible for carrying out some 800 autopsies a year, including supposedly
attending the scene of the death and the court hearings, it is evident that the autopsies cannot be
carried out as professionally as good practice requires.
In conclusion, the autopsies fell far short of the requirements set out in the Council of Europe
Committee of Ministers Rec R(99)3 Recommendation on Harmonisation of Medico-Legal Autopsy
Roles. Moreover, there was no investigation into the cause of each death to see whether any lessons
could be garnered to prevent future deaths, especially when it was a case of a person taking his (or
her) own life.
The CPT recommends that the Greek authorities ensure all autopsies comply with the
Council of Europe Recommendation on Harmonisation of Medico-Legal Autopsy Roles.
Further, a practice of carrying out thorough inquiries into deaths in custody with a view to
learning lessons and improving operating procedures should be instituted.
77.
In the CPT’s view, more active suicide prevention efforts are needed, through the provision
of supportive monitoring and the development of trusting relationships between patients/prisoners
and staff. More generally, the limited availability of staff – coupled with the absence of meaningful
activities – undermined any efforts towards the prevention of self-harm and the associated risk of
suicide.
The CPT would like to be provided with a copy of the protocols in place to identify and
manage persons identified as being at risk of self-harming or attempting to commit suicide
within the different establishments making up the Korydallos Prison Complex. As regards the
lack of staff, reference is made to the recommendations made in paragraphs 52, 55, 60 and 74.
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