- 40 The CPT recommends that the Greek authorities deliver the clear message to staff at Korydallos Women’s Prison, in particular male prison officers, that both physical illtreatment and verbal abuse of prisoners are not acceptable and will be dealt with severely. Further, the Committee recommends that when allegations of ill-treatment are brought to the attention of the prison management those staff members concerned should be transferred to duties not requiring day to day contact with the prisoners, pending the results of the investigation. 81. The Committee was also concerned to learn that at Korydallos Women’s Prison prisoners were systematically subjected to an examination of the bodily orifices, every time they left the prison (e.g. to court or to hospital accompanied by at least two prison guards) and on their return. Such an approach is certainly disproportionate and could well be considered as degrading. Examinations of this nature should be conducted exceptionally on the basis of a risk assessment, not systematically. Further, an intimate internal examination should be conducted by a medical practitioner only23, it being understood that this medical practitioner should not be the doctor who would treat the patient with respect to health related issues. Also, such examinations must be conducted in a way that fully respects the dignity of the prisoner. The delegation was similarly concerned by the systematic practice of giving all new arrivals laxatives, placing them in the isolation unit for five days and monitoring their use of the toilets by video camera. This degrading practice should be ended immediately. The CPT recommends that the Greek authorities review the practice of intimate internal examinations at Korydallos Women’s Prison and ensure: that they are only carried out when absolutely necessary; that they are performed by a medical practitioner, who is not the treating doctor of the person concerned; and that they are done under conditions which respect human dignity. The Committee also recommends that the Greek authorities immediately end the practice at Korydallos Women’s Prison of giving all new arrivals laxatives and monitoring their use of the toilet by video camera. 82. The Committee’s delegation observed that inter-prisoner intimidation/violence was a significant phenomenon in the various prison establishments visited. In Chios Judicial Prison one group of inmates appeared to be able to act with impunity in imposing its will upon other prisoners and less than a week after the visit by the CPT a serious stabbing incident occurred between prisoners. In Korydallos Men’s Prison tension between different groups of prisoners, many foreign, was palpable during the delegation’s visit and a fight involving some 20 prisoners took place in Delta Wing on 3 September 2005. In Korydallos Women’s Prison, the delegation was informed about various incidents of inter-prisoner violence. Reference should also be made to the serious problem of inter-patient violence within the Korydallos Psychiatric Hospital, including sexual abuse. Some of the allegations made to the CPT’s delegation were subsequently confirmed by the medical records or upon an examination by one of the medical members of the delegation. 83. The CPT has stressed in the past that the duty of care which is owed by the prison 23 cf. Rule 54 (7) European Prison Rules (Rec (2006)2).