72. Paranesti PRDC was established in 2012 in a former military base in the village of Paranesti, in a remote area in Northern Greece. The centre originally consisted of four, fenced-in, single-storey accommodation buildings, which are currently not in use. Instead, persons are now held in six separate wings, each with rows of between seven and nine aligned prefabricated containers topped with barbed wire and within a secure fenced perimeter, also topped with several layers of barbed wire. The detention area was surrounded by a second barbed wire fence, with watchtowers completing the oppressive impression of a high-security prison – totally inappropriate for the purpose of holding persons in administrative detention. On the day of the visit, 290 adult men were detained for an operational capacity of 300 places.31 The prefabricated containers measured some 45 m2 – for up to 12 persons – and usually consisted of three to seven sets of bunk beds, plastic tables and chairs, fridge, heater, air conditioning unit, call bell and a sanitary annex with floor-level toilet, shower and washbasin. Heating was functioning in most rooms and warm water could be accessed upon request. Lighting and ventilation were sufficient. In each wing, there was one common room equipped only with a television and a table, and one container was being used as a prayer room. However, there was need for regular maintenance (several lockable containers, air conditioning units, showers and toilets, beds and floors were broken) and effectively tackling the infestation of cockroaches and bed bugs inside all containers (detained persons placed plastic boxes filled with water under the bed frame to keep the insects away). Complaints about the poor quality of the food and insufficient hygiene and cleaning products, as well as insufficient and inappropriate clothing were also received. 73. Fylakio PRDC, operating as a pre-removal detention centre since 2013, had been fully refurbished since the CPT’s previous visit in 2020. The renovations concerned both the outdoor courtyards and the detention cells, with the aim of reducing capacity, improving access to natural light and upgrading the plumbing and electricity. At the time of the visit, the centre mainly served as first night accommodation for persons prior to their transfer to the adjacent Reception and Identification Centre (RIC).32 Fylakio PRDC was almost empty at the time of the visit and only held two foreign nationals for a reduced operational capacity of 232 places (down from previously 374). However, despite the renovation works, the five dormitories – each having a sanitary annexe with functioning showers and toilets – remain crowded with between 34 and 45 beds (most concrete plinths supported a bunk bed structure, except those near the windows) and most still had insufficient access to natural light due to the upper level of the bunk beds. There were also no call bells. The barred cells were in a reasonable state of cleanliness. The former cell for women had been transformed into a reception area, and spaces for worship had been created. The delegation was struck by the small, cage-like concrete yards that were surrounded by high fences topped with barbed wire, which were attached to the rear of each dormitory. Only dormitory number 5 had access to a decent outdoor area which included a shelter. Certainly, the conditions represent an improvement. However, the barred cells and overall design mean that the centre should only be used for holding foreign nationals under immigration legislation for short periods. Moreover, every effort should be made to avoid placing families with children in this facility even for a few days. 74. Tavros (Petrou Ralli) PRDC – in use since 2005 and transformed into a pre-removal detention centre in 2016 – is located on the second and third floors of a building complex on the premises of the Attica Aliens Police Directorate. It remains totally unsuitable for holding foreign nationals for periods exceeding a few days. When visited by the delegation, the facility was holding 139 adult men for an operational capacity of 150 places, most being detained in the four wings on the second floor.33 31. Most foreign nationals came from Egypt (77 persons), Afghanistan (42 persons) and Pakistan (36 persons). 80% of the population had been transferred to the centre following their release from prison and more than half (151 persons) had applied for asylum. 51 foreign nationals were being detained at Paranesti PRDC for over six months, seven of whom for over nine months. 32. While newly arrived persons usually remained at Fylakio PRDC for short periods only, until their transfer to the adjacent RIC for screening and registration, due to increasing numbers of arrivals, the waiting period until places became available in the RIC did last for up to 40 days, prior to the visit. 33. Foreign nationals were mostly from Pakistan (42 persons) and Egypt (28 persons). 21 persons had been detained at Petrou Ralli PRDC for over six months, including six for over 12 months – two had been held for over 16 months. 22