The cells were dirty and cramped. There were one or two, or in one cell three, concrete plinths with mattresses, blankets and pillows, either on the plinths or on the floor. In some cells there was no room to move around because the mattresses took up all the floor space. There were four men in four of the cells and three in most of the others. One cell held a single man who the police considered to be a more serious risk – this was because he was thought to be a people trafficker. Despite their cramped nature, the cells were much less crowded than had been documented previously (Fili 2013). The last CPT visit in 2016 (CPT 2017a) had concluded that conditions in the airport facility were largely adequate, but also noted the following: ‘.. once again, the delegation heard many complaints that detainees were not let out of the cells when they requested to go to the toilet. Local staff said that the average length of detention would not exceed a few days; however, consultation of the custody register revealed that four Syrians had been held in the centre for periods of two to four months, another foreign national had been held for more than six months and many others had been detained for more than one month. Further, at times, between seven and 11 persons were held in these cells for prolonged periods, as was the case in December 2012, January 2013 and at the beginning of April 2013; such a gross level of overcrowding leading to 1 m² or less of living space per person constitutes in itself inhuman treatment. A cell of 9 m² should not accommodate more than two persons. It is also essential that an outdoor exercise yard be brought into service.’ (CPT 2017a: 42) There was no evidence of this level of overcrowding during the NPM’s visit. There was graffiti in every cell, some of it offensive. For example, in one cell there was a large drawing of a woman with spread legs. In another, there was a prominent swastika on the cell door. There were many country names written on the walls by detainees, with Syria, Afghanistan and Kurdistan particularly prominent. The light switch for the cells was outside the door meaning that detainees could not independently control the lighting. We were told the police gave detainees around half an hour in the canteen area by way of relief if the numbers were high. The canteen area had two vending machines with snacks, drinks and sandwiches. Detainees were allowed to carry 100 euros on them. Cash in excess of this and other valuables were kept in a safe. The NPM noted that information about legal help on the noticeboards was all in Greek and very few detainees could understand it. Detention administration was completed at the Petrou Ralli detention centre. The senior director of Athens immigration detention facilities said that detention was often extended as staff at Petrou Ralli were not able to process detainees quickly enough. There were no NGOs routinely working at the centre. One of the men said that on the previous day, detainees did not go to the toilet and were not given enough food. Such complaints are in line with previous findings (CPT 2017a; Fili 2013). The head of the NPM raised this with the head of the airport police, who disputed the detainee’s account. Three men in one cell said they were unable to use the telephone because they had no money on their phone cards. They said that they could not get legal help. Most men we spoke with had applied for asylum in Greece. The NPM gave some information about legal aid to detainees and looked at a couple of men’s appeal decisions which were written in Greek, trying to explain what was written. 22