- 65 120. The situation as regards health-care resources was better at Ioannina Prison, where there was
one full-time rural doctor69 and three qualified nurses, with one nurse on duty every week-day from
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Further, a dentist visited the prison twice a week. Other specialists did not visit the
prison, but were available in two nearby hospitals.
121. At Komotini Prison, a visiting doctor was normally available on week-days from 8 a.m. to
11.30 a.m. and there were two full-time qualified nurses, who guaranteed a nursing presence from 8
a.m. until 3 p.m. and from 2.30 p.m. until 8 p.m. on weekdays. Occasionally, a dentist visited the
prison. Such health-care staffing levels would be sufficient, if the prison was operating within its
official capacity of 96, but they are far from adequate for the current inmate population of 336.
122. At Larissa Prison, there was no full-time medical doctor; two visiting doctors were
alternately present in the establishment four days of the week for three hours on each occasion (i.e.
12 hours in total). For a prison of some 900 inmates, this is totally insufficient; the equivalent of at
least two full-time GPs is required for an establishment of such a size. On a more positive note,
there were seven fully qualified nurses; although not ideal, this nursing staff complement compares
favourably with that in many other establishments. The post of psychiatrist had been abolished in
2011 and there were no visits by a psychiatrist to the establishment. It should be noted in this
connection that one prisoner was known to be suffering from severe positive symptoms of
schizophrenia, but was simply left in his cell without any counselling or care, although his cell
mates had notified the medical services that he was incoherent and withdrawn.
123. In the light of the shortcomings identified above, the CPT recommends, as an initial
measure, that the Greek authorities take the following steps as a matter of urgency to
reinforce health-care staffing levels in the establishments visited:
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69
at Korydallos Men’s Prison, recruit the equivalent of four full-time general
practitioners, and at least six additional full-time nurses, at least one of whom should
have experience with mental health work; and increase the number of dental and
psychiatric consultations;
at Korydallos Female Prison, recruit at least two full-time qualified nurses;
at Avlona Special Detention Facility for Juveniles, recruit at least the equivalent of a
full-time general practitioner as well as two additional qualified nurses;
at Diavata Prison, recruit at least the equivalent of a full-time general practitioner as
well as at least three additional qualified nurses;
at Komotini Prison, reinforce the presence of general practitioners to the equivalent of
a full-time post and the presence of qualified nurses to the equivalent of three full-time
posts;
at Larissa Prison, recruit the equivalent of two full-time general practitioners as well
as an additional two full-time qualified nurses, one of whom should be a qualified
mental health nurse; and ensure regular visits by a psychiatrist.
That is, a recently qualified doctor undertaking a one year residency outside of a major urban area.
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