- 48 136. Conditions of detention in the unit are far less suitable for prisoners subject to
segregation for non-disciplinary reasons, in particular if that measure is applied for a lengthy
period.
As regards more particularly prisoners who are segregated because of personality
disorders and/or for their own protection, the CPT invites the Greek authorities to explore the
possibility of creating special units organised along community lines.
The unit is a totally unsuitable place in which to accommodate someone in need of
psychiatric care. Neither the material environment nor the staff (ordinary prison officers) are
appropriate. The CPT recommends that no such prisoner be placed in the unit. If,
exceptionally, prisoners who are emotionally or psychologically disturbed have to be held
temporarily in the segregation unit, they should be kept under close observation.
Further, the CPT recommends:
-
that the cells in the unit used to accommodate prisoners segregated for a nondisciplinary reason be equipped in the same way as an ordinary prison cell;
-
that the respective regimes applicable, on the one hand, to persons undergoing
disciplinary confinement and, on the other hand, to persons held in the segregation
unit for other reasons, be expressly laid down.
137. The segregation unit of the Womens Prison at Korydallos consisted of two cells, each
measuring approximately 6 m² and equipped with a bed and an asian toilet. Lighting was adequate,
but the cell window security arrangements rendered ventilation poor; further, one of the cell
windows was broken. It should be added that the state of repair of the in-cell toilet facilities and of
the washing facilities in an adjacent room left something to be desired. There was no outdoor
exercise area in the vicinity of the unit; the delegation was informed that exercise was taken in the
unit's corridor.
The unit was empty at the time of the delegation's visit and staff told the delegation that the
unit was rarely used, and then only to accommodate prisoners undergoing punishment. An
unofficial record kept by the chief prison officer appeared to bear this out.
138. The comment and recommendation made in paragraph 135 concerning respectively
cell furniture and outdoor exercise apply equally to the segregation unit at the Womens
Prison.
Further, it is recommended that ventilation in the unit's cells be improved and the
toilet and washing facilities repaired.
139. The segregation unit at Larissa Prison had 10 cells, each measuring approximately 8 m². As
at Korydallos, the cells were equipped only with a bed and an asian toilet. Ventilation appeared to
be adequate; however, there was very limited access to natural light and the artificial lighting was
mediocre. There was a fair-sized exercise yard alongside the cells.
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