In response to the 2018 visit,11 the Greek authorities informed the Committee that specific measures had been taken at Korydallos Psychiatric Hospital for prisoners to create a quiet room12 within the ground floor unit, to apply the protocol on the use of restrictive measures drawn up by the Special Committee for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Mental Health Disorders, to maintain a comprehensive record of restrictive measures in a dedicated register and to supply proper clothing to patients with self-harm. At the time of the 2022 visit, these stated measures had not in fact been implemented at the Hospital. When such a quiet room is established, there should also be a clock visible to the patient to assist them with their orientation and an intercom for communication with staff. 35. The CPT reiterates its recommendation that the Greek authorities take proactive steps to ensure that a comprehensive, carefully developed policy on restraint is drawn up at Korydallos Psychiatric Hospital for prisoners, taking into account the above remarks. Further, the CPT recommends that a safer quiet room be established on the ground floor which could be used for accommodating agitated, aggressive and auto-aggressive patients. All patients placed in this room should benefit from direct continuous supervision by staff. f. deaths 36. In the course of the 2022 visit, the delegation examined the documentation in respect of the four deaths that had occured in the Hospital in 2022 to date and looked into the seven deaths that had occurred in 2021. A thorough examination of the deaths was not possible as key documentation in each case was missing. Following a death in the Hospital, a review is carried out by the Prison Disciplinary Board 13 which attempts to ascertain whether there are any actions or omissions by staff for which they may be criminally responsible. However, there is no medical input to this review, which represents a serious deficiency given that the Disciplinary Board is reviewing healthcare services without benefitting from healthcare advice. Moreover, the review appeared far too narrow in scope. The CPT considers that there should be an investigation into the cause of each death to see whether any lessons could be garnered to prevent future deaths, especially in the case of a person taking their own life. This would require enlarging the terms of reference of the Disciplinary Board and providing it with expert medical input. Further, in paragraph 76 of the report on the 2021 visit, the CPT had concluded that the autopsies into deaths occurring in the Korydallos Prison Complex fell far short of the requirements set out in the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Rec R(99)3 Recommendation on Harmonisation of Medico-Legal Autopsy Roles. No response to the recommendation on this matter has been received. 37. The CPT recommends that the Disciplinary Board reviews into the deaths in Korydallos Psychiatric Hospital for prisoners be enhanced to ensure that they are capable of thoroughly investigating the circumstances of each death with a view to learning any lessons and improving operating procedures and not being restricted to criminal liability. At a minimum, each review into a death must have medical input. 11. See CPT/Inf (2019) 5, page 10. The response included the technical specifications for the room: “the walls inside of each one will be lined with a soft material (thermoset polyurethane/foam thermoplastic), which will be made of pre-assembled 2,44 x 1,22 m panels with a nominal wall thickness of 25 mm and 19 mm of the floor. Note that, this material will cover the walls (other than the WC), the floor (other than the WC) and the entrance to the cell, as well as the bed. All components of the WC will be replaced with new ones made of stainless steel (INOX). Also, the beds will be built and they will be covered by foam protective material (without metallic elements).” 13. Composed of the Supervisory Prosecutor, the Director of the Hospital and the Head of Social Services. 12. 13

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents