- 57 Wing B had two types of cells. The larger ones measured some 50 m², which accommodated
up to 20 women, and cells of 9 m² accommodated three prisoners. The high occupancy rates meant
that conditions were cramped. Wing C was mainly used to hold prisoners requiring protection and
HIV positive women. Cells measured some 14 m² and were not crowded, accommodating not more
than three prisoners each. However, the delegation noted that in some cells the toilets were not
partitioned.
It should also be noted that the custodial officers on duty at night did not have immediate
access to the cell keys, as they were not kept in the wings. In case of a medical emergency or a fire,
as had happened a few months before the delegation’s visit, it takes some time to get the keys and
unlock doors. Such a delay can put the lives of prisoners at risk.
103. The Avlona Special Detention Facility for Juveniles accommodated 360 inmates at the time
of the delegation’s visit, while having an official capacity of 300 places. Two months before there
had been around 400 inmates. The majority of inmates are in fact young adults between 18 and 21
years of age and 130 prisoners were over the age of 21.
The main accommodation wing consists of three floors with 18 cells and three dormitories
on the ground floor and 23 cells and 1 dormitory on each of the upper two floors. The cells
measured some 10 m² (not counting the sanitary annex) and contained two sets of bunk beds, i.e. an
envisaged living space per prisoner of only 2.5 m². And in a number of the cells the delegation
came across six inmates having to share four beds. The cells were equipped with a table and chairs
and a refrigerator, and access to natural light was satisfactory and artificial lighting sufficient.
However, the sanitary annex, which contained a toilet, a shower and a sink, was not fully
partitioned to the ceiling.
A single storey annex wing contained 15 cells and a dormitory. The size (10 m²) and
conditions of 10 of these cells were similar to those in the rest of the establishment, and they
accommodated four inmates each. Sanitary annexes were only semi-partitioned by a curtain. The
remaining five cells were previously used as disciplinary cells; at the time of the visit, four of them
were accommodating ordinary regime prisoners and the fifth one was empty. For example, one of
these cells, which measured some 14 m², accommodated two prisoners, one of whom had to sleep
on a concrete plinth. The cell was dilapidated and mould was growing on the walls and the ceiling
and the artificial lighting in the sanitary annex was not functioning. The large dormitory for
working prisoners accommodated 22 inmates; its conditions do not call for further comments.
104. Diavata Judicial Prison, in Thessaloniki, has a capacity of 250 places, but at the time of the
visit held 590 inmates. The establishment has 53 dormitories measuring 24 m² and holding up to 10
inmates each, 10 cells of 11 m² holding on average four inmates each, and three dormitories
accommodating 34 female prisoners. The dormitories for female prisoners, located on the ground
floor, were separated from the sections accommodating male prisoners. However, like the rest of
the inmate accommodation, they offer cramped conditions, with 24 m² of space for five sets of bunk
beds. Access to natural light and ventilation was adequate and there were a few stools, but no
lockable space for personal belongings. The sanitary annexes contained floor-level toilets and a
sink, which also had to be used for washing clothes and dishes; however, on a positive note, the
annexes were fully partitioned.
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