VISITS TO PRE-REMOVAL CENTRES-PROBLEMS WITH THE PROCEDURE OF RETURNS 3. Visits to pre-removal centresProblems with the procedure of returns From the visits conducted by the Ombudsman in 2017 to Pre-removal Centres,6 problems were ascertained that had also been emphasized in the previous report regarding the Returns, in the year 2016,7 in relation to the Directive on Returns. After a visit and an on-site inspection at the cells of the Aliens’ Police Division in Thessaloniki, the Ombudsman highlighted to the Headquarters of the Greek Police, that while these cells are being used permanently as places of mass detention of irregular immigrants, they are inadequate because they do not fulfil the necessary precondition of access to open air as a humane condition of detention (Articles15, 16 of the Directive on Returns). The observations and suggestions of the Ombudsman regarding the conditions of detention of immigrants also refer to his Annual Report for 20178 for the prevention of Torture and ill-treatment, based on the mandate of the Authority as a National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture and Inhumane or Degrading Treatment (OPCAT). The main problems that were emphasized during 2017 regarding the procedures of returns were the following: ⇢ Inadequate information towards the detainees regarding the procedure of return, in conjunction with the complete lack of interpreters. Interpretation is important for the entirety of the rights of the detainees, even more because in the detention centres coexist different categories of detainees,9 according to the reason for their detention.10 ⇢ A continuation of the phenomenon of detention for reasons of public order without sometimes the necessary, specialized reasoning11, despite the non-punitive character of 6 Tavros, Corinth, Amygdaleza, Lesvos, Xanthi, Orestiada, Paranestion. 7 https://www.synigoros.gr/?i=human-rights.en.recentinterventions.457395 8 In Greek: https://www.synigoros.gr/?i=kdet.el.ehtisies_ektheseis_documents.488176, p.217s. 9A  differentiation of detention, according to nationality, during 2017 on the islands, appears in a Circular by the Greek Police which refers to detention according to the rate of recognition of refugee status. The differentiation of detention, according to nationality, creates reasonable doubts, does not have as its basis the Directive on Returns and also creates a problem in the individual assessment of a possible demand for international protection. 10 Some individuals are taken to pre-removal centres from the islands, for reasons of public order, some people have been arrested on the mainland for illegal stay and then consequently submit a claim for asylum etc. 11 See above, footnote 7. 17