- 25 41. The transgender unit was located in K Wing, which consisted of nine cells along a narrow corridor (0.6m wide). The first three cells comprised the disciplinary unit with a metal grille gate separating them from the remaining six cells used for accommodating the three transgender women and one male prisoner.31 The women were effectively left to their own devices every day within the confines of their cells, the narrow corridor, a small kitchen/utility room and the outdoor exercise yard. They were not offered any activities. The cells measured a mere 6m², including an unpartitioned floor level toilet, and were equipped with a bunk bed, a small table and chair and a radiator which did not work. The cells were in a dilapidated state. At the end of the visit, the CPT’s delegation requested that the Greek authorities transfer the transgender women to alternative accommodation within one month. By communication of 7 January 2022, the Greek authorities informed the CPT that the three women had been transferred to Korydallos Women’s Prison, where a small unit with its own yard had been recently renovated for them. This is to be welcomed. The CPT would like to be informed about the exact layout of the unit at Korydallos Women’s Prison, the activities offered to the women as well as the staffing arrangements. It would also like to be informed whether there is any association between the transgender women and the cisgender women on remand in the rest of the establishment. Further, it would like to be informed of the number of transgender women accommodated in the unit as of 1 June 2022. 42. The women made no complaints of their daily treatment by staff. However, they did explain that they had been subjected to a strip-search upon their admission to the prison which had entailed them removing all their clothes and standing naked while male officers examined whether they were concealing any forbidden item. Such a procedure is totally inappropriate and was perceived as degrading by the women. The CPT considers that a strip-search is a very invasive and potentially degrading measure and should only occur when absolutely necessary and based on justifiable risk. When carrying out such a search, every reasonable effort should be made to minimise embarrassment and maintain as much as dignity as possible; detained persons who are searched should not normally be required to remove all their clothes at the same time, e.g. a person should be allowed to remove clothing above the waist and get dressed before removing further clothing. In addition, the search should be carried out by a custodial officer of the same gender as the person being searched and, as a rule, a second officer of the same gender should also be present during any strip-search as a protection for detained persons and staff alike. The CPT recommends that the Greek authorities ensure that all searches of prisoners comply with the above-mentioned requirements. 31 See paragraphs 44 and 78. The male prisoner had been located on the wing in the same cell for more than six years to protect him from other prisoners. This person was locked in his cell except during the lunchtime lockdown between 13h00 and 15h00 when he was offered access to the exercise yard.