The CPT reported in 2009 that people detained on immigration grounds were held in the same detention areas as those detained on criminal grounds, and in unsafe and unhygienic conditions. CPT reports over several years (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019) document some improvements, however with continued poor conditions of detention. In 2009, the CPT reported that a culture of impunity within the police department persisted. The facility was also reported to be overcrowded with people sleeping on the floor and with detainees complaining that they “did not always have access to a toilet and that, particularly at night, they often had to relieve themselves in bottles”.

In 2013, the CPT reported overcrowded cells in unhygienic condition. The delegation reported that there was no access to natural light, no in-cell cleaning, and difficulties in accessing doctors. People were reportedly detained in the facilities for far beyond 24 hours, some of them even for three or four months. In 2015, the CPT delegation explicitly condemned the fact that “medical records and prescriptions were kept by police officers who were also regularly distributing medication to detained persons”. It was also reported that despite a policy change being implemented to not hold people in irregular situations or for prolonged periods, material conditions still needed to be improved. Moreover, clarity on the detention of children was requested after learning about a woman from Bulgaria detained at the police station with her three minor children.

In 2017, the CPT delegation described the reduction of detainees numbers as improved, solving the issue of overcrowded cells. However, there was still no outdoor exercise area.

The CPT also reported in 2019 that several foreign national detainees stated that they were not provided with translations, information on their rights or any type of assistance to understand or sign documents in Greek. The same report states that even though the overpopulation in cells was solved, the conditions stayed unsafe due to lack of hygiene, presence of bed bugs, absence of fresh air and sunlight, and unusable sanitary facilities. Four testimonies taken in 2022 and in 2024 reported that the Thessaloniki General Police Directorate was detaining foreign nationals for more than the time period allowed in unhygienic cells, and alongside those detained on criminal grounds. These testimonies reported continued ill-treatment and no access to means of communication such as telephones.