-410.
The Greek authorities have yet to recognise that the prison system as it is currently operating
is not able to provide safe and secure custody for inmates. Discussions with the prison
administration in Athens indicated a lack of appreciation on their part of the actual situation in the
country’s prison establishments.
11.
The findings of the 2011 visit confirmed that a regulated prison system, as aspired to in law,
has given way to the practice of warehousing prisoners. No action has been taken to implement the
CPT’s repeated recommendations to improve the situation in establishments visited as regards
living conditions, staffing levels, purposeful activities and aspects of health care, not to mention
inter-prisoner violence. Conditions are especially worrying at Amfissa, Korydallos Men’s and
Korydallos Women’s Prisons. Even in a new prison such as Domokos, many of the same
deficiencies are replicated.
*
*
*
12.
The CPT fully recognises the challenge faced by Greece in having to cope with a constant
influx of irregular migrants in recent years. It is highly unlikely that this influx will diminish in the
near future. It is of crucial importance that the international community – and particularly the
European Union – assists the Greek authorities to meet this challenge. However, such support must
go hand in hand with a clear demonstration by the Greek authorities of their commitment to redress
the current situation. Plans and new laws must be followed up with concrete action to put in place
the structural reforms required. A similar commitment by the Greek authorities is necessary for the
recovery of the country’s prison system.
13.
The CPT’s aim in making this public statement is to motivate and assist the Greek
authorities to take decisive action to improve the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in
Greece, in line with the fundamental values to which Greece, as a member State of the Council of
Europe and the European Union, has subscribed. In pursuit of that objective and in furtherance of its
mandate, the Committee is fully committed to continuing its dialogue with the Greek authorities.