- 62 The CPT has very strong reservations as concerns any form of solitary confinement of
juveniles as this can compromise their physical and/or mental integrity. To this end, it considers that
a juvenile can only be placed in solitary confinement for disciplinary purposes in exceptional
circumstances and, in any case, for a period not exceeding three days;66 in most cases, a short
calming down period should suffice and staff should always be attentive to any juvenile placed in
solitary confinement.
In its communication of 30 June 2015, the Ministry of Justice informed the CPT that it is in
the process of revising the policy of placing juveniles in solitary confinement and that it had
suspended the use of the two solitary confinement cells in Corinth Prison.
The CPT welcomes this positive response and recommends that the Greek authorities
amend the legal provision regulating the placement of juveniles in solitary confinement as a
disciplinary punishment, taking into account the above remarks.
Moreover, where there is a need to keep a juvenile separate from other juveniles, as this case
apparently warranted, it is important for the prison management to put in place an alternative
regime, which affords the individual the necessary stimulation, both physical and intellectual, and to
provide the juvenile with human contact. This may require assigning one or two prison staff to work
with the juvenile on a more intensive basis.
The CPT recommends that a juvenile’s behaviour never be managed through
prolonged solitary confinement, but always be the subject of an individual plan that involves
human contact, physical exercise and intellectual stimulation.
104. In sum, the Corinth facility does not provide a supportive environment for juveniles and the
CPT urges the Greek authorities to review their approach towards the detention of juveniles
suspected or convicted of a criminal offence. The CPT considers that these young persons should be
held in detention centres specifically designed for persons of this age, offering a non-prison-like
environment and regimes tailored to their needs, and staffed by persons trained in dealing with the
young. For example, the Committee endorses facilities composed of small, well-staffed units, each
comprising a limited number of single rooms (usually no more than ten) as well as a communal
area, and where juveniles are provided with a range of purposeful activities throughout the day and
staff promote a sense of community within the unit.
The CPT recommends that the Greek authorities review the current approach towards
the detention of juveniles with a view to providing them with a more juvenile-centred and
supportive environment, in the light of the above remarks.
3.
Detention of unaccompanied minor irregular migrants
105. In the course of the visit, the CPT’s delegation met a 17-year-old asylum seeker from Egypt
who was detained for 22 days on the 3rd third floor of the GADA. The CPT understands that he was
placed in police custody for “protective” reasons by decision of the competent prosecutor, as he was
homeless and reportedly without family support. He was apparently awaiting transfer to a special
juvenile shelter, once a place became available in the Attica region.
66
See the 18th General Report on the CPT’s activities – CPT/Inf (2008) 25, paragraph 26.
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