- 57 d. inspection procedures 131. The delegation was informed about the functioning of the Monitoring and Control Body (prison inspectorate), presided over by an honorary prosecutor and with two police officers carrying out inspections. The reports were submitted to the General Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and were not made public. The inspections themselves were described as comprehensive and could be impromptu as well as planned in advance; individual complaints could be dealt with if received in the course of an inspection. 132. The CPT has, in the past, made known its criteria for prison visits by outside authorities38. There is of course no one model and in many countries there is a diversified approach with an internal Ministry inspectorate (such as in Greece) as well as a specialised ombudsman, visiting committees composed of members of civil society, NGOs, etc. The CPT recommends that the Greek authorities seek to develop the existing inspection procedures, in the light of the above remarks. Further, the CPT wishes to receive a copy of the report relating to the most recent inspections of Korydallos Women’s Prison. 38 (cf. CPT/Inf (2001) 18, Part I, paragraph 186.) “The CPT considers that the effectiveness of a body responsible for monitoring conditions in a prison will depend on the way in which it organises its activities in the establishment, on the provision of appropriate training for its members and, perhaps, above all, on its ability to make itself seen as a quite separate body from the prison staff and administration. To be effective, such a body or certain of its members should undertake regular prison visits. During these visits, the members must be "visible" to the prison authorities and staff and to the prisoners themselves. More specifically, members must not restrict their contacts to persons who have expressly requested to meet them, but should take the initiative by visiting the prison's detention areas and entering into contact with inmates. It is essential that, should the need arise, such a body be authorised to have direct contact with governmental and/or parliamentary authorities. In certain situations, to fulfil its functions effectively, it must be able to address itself to someone other than the head of the establishment concerned. In addition, it would be very desirable for the body to produce and publish an annual report on its activities, in order to achieve greater openness and stimulate public debate on the prison service. It goes without saying that its findings in certain areas could remain confidential”.

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