Two of the people we spoke to were apprehended on the grounds of being undocumented or having
expired documents, although one individual had an asylum seeker card. The individual who had been
detained multiple times in Xanthi PRDC explained that the situation and conditions had worsened over time.
The average time period for people held in detention was around six months.
The general conditions described by respondents in Xanthi were poor, with three people stating that the
spaces were not even fit for animals. The dilapidated structures of the facility were reported to be in severe
need of renovation, particularly the bathrooms, of which only two toilets were functioning and used by 100
people. Individuals reported that they were not provided with toilet roll, shampoo or laundry facilities,
rather they had to wash their clothes by hand. Mattresses and beds are provided in Xanthi, yet in poor and
dirty conditions. Individuals described that they were provided with all three meals in the morning, for
themselves to ration throughout the day. Respondents did however report that they were able to use large
outdoor spaces from early morning until midnight. There was no access to Wifi, but respondents were able
to use their mobile phones and top up the sim cards with data online. People were able to order basic items
such as cigarettes, dry food items and hygiene products which were compiled in a list daily and provided by
sundown.
Despite the presence of medical actors, the people we spoke with said that they were only accessible for
urgent cases. In general, the perception of Xanthi PRDC amongst the limited number of detainees we spoke
to and other actors who have a regular presence or interaction with the centre, consider it extremely poor
in terms of conditions, but less severe in terms of access to both indoor and outdoor space.
Everything is bad, this
place is like an
abandoned building.
The bed is a dirty
mattress. The food is
not good. Abandoned
place, very old, not
even animals can stay
there. I can send you
videos of the place.
Unknown, Xanthi
Source: Xanthi PRDC, MIT respondent
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