- 43 7. Athens Transfer Centre for Prisoners under the Hellenic Police 85. The CPT’s delegation carried out a follow-up visit to the Athens Transfer Centre for Prisoners, which is the main transfer hub in Attica for prisoners undergoing a prison transfer or awaiting a court appearance or a medical appointment. The centre consists of 29 cells split among four wings for an official capacity of 120 places; most of the cells measured 20m² and contained five concrete plinths. Occupancy levels were down with the highest number staying overnight in 2021 being 46 persons and usually it was lower; for example, at the time of the visit there were eight male adults with a further 20 persons expected later in the day. Stays were usually only one or two nights unless a person tested positive for the SARS-Cov-2 virus, for instance, in which case they would remain in the centre for up to 10 days. The delegation also noted positively that the electronic and paper records were kept in good order. Likewise, it welcomed the introduction of weekly sessions with a psychologist for staff to discuss situations of violence and managing challenging prisoners, including those with a mental disorder or displaying anti-social behaviour. Overall, compared with the situation found at the time of the 2019 visit,46 the Centre provided improved conditions. The cells and corridors had been painted, the heating system and artificial lighting repaired, and the sanitary facilities were nearly all functioning properly. All areas of the facility were generally clean although some of the cells remained grim (poor lighting, dirty and graffiti on walls). The delegation again received complaints about the poor quality of food, the lack of hygiene products and the lack of access to outdoor exercise. The CPT trusts that the good management found at the Transfer Centre will be maintained and steps taken to remedy the deficiencies noted above. In particular, the CPT recommends that all persons held longer than 24 hours be offered one hour of outdoor exercise every day and be supplied with the necessary hygiene products. 8. Transfer of Prisoners by the Hellenic Police 86. As regards the transfer of prisoners, the situation remained the same as that described in the report on the 2019 visit.47 The only positive developments had been the acquisition of one new bus and one new police car for the transport of vulnerable persons. Moreover, the Greek authorities had not responded to the recommendations set out in the 2019 visit report intended to improve the conditions under which prisoners were transferred around the country. In particular, the CPT’s delegation found that no steps have been taken to reduce the occupancy levels in the small, secured compartments in the transport buses which continued to hold four persons in 1.2m² even during long journeys of several hours or more. 46 47 See CPT/Inf (2020) 15, paragraphs 115 and 116. See CPT/Inf (2020) 15, paragraphs 124 to 130.