- 29 55. Lack of access to natural light and the absence of, or existence of extremely weak, artificial lighting were problems encountered in a number of police stations (for instance, Thessaloniki Dodecanesis Street, Athens Omonia, Siderokastro, Patras Transfer Centre and Police Headquarters). The CPT considers that all cell areas of police and border guard stations should preferably have access to natural light and must in all cases have sufficient artificial lighting (i.e. enough to permit a person to read). 56. On a positive note, the delegation did observe that the new cells for criminal suspects at the Soufli Police and Border Guard Station were clean, properly equipped with beds, toilets and a shower and had access to sufficient natural light and artificial lighting. The CPT trusts that these detention facilities represent a new benchmark. That said, the Soufli facility is not equipped with a yard for outdoor exercise (cf. recommendation in paragraph 51).42 57. The CPT calls upon the Greek authorities to review conditions of detention in police and border guard stations, to ensure that: - - all detained persons have ready access to a proper toilet facility, including at night; female detainees are held in an area which is separated from that accommodating male detainees, and that their privacy is guaranteed; each detained person is provided with a clean mattress, clean bedding and a means of rest, such as a plinth or a bed; the provision of food for detained persons is adequate and appropriate; all detained persons staying longer than 24 hours are provided with a basic sanitary kit (including adequate rations of soap, washing powder, toilet paper, shampoo, shaving utensils and tooth paste, and a tooth brush) free of charge; all detained persons are provided with sufficient quantities of detergent to keep their cells clean; detention areas (including sanitary facilities) are maintained in an adequate state of repair and cleanliness; all detained persons have access to adequate lighting; all detained persons staying longer than 24 hours have access to a shower and to hot water; call bells are installed in all detention areas where staff are not continuously present. 58. In its report on the 2008 visit, the CPT stated that the detention conditions at the Xanthi Police and Border Guard Station could be considered as inhuman and degrading43, and yet they were in an even worse state at the time of the 2009 visit. For example, cell N° 4 was without any light (natural or artificial) and the delegation had difficulties identifying the occupants of the cell in the dark; the absence of any light in the toilet area of the cell had led to unhygienic conditions detrimental to human health. 42 43 Apparently, the new Mytilini Police Headquarters has also not been equipped with a yard for outdoor exercise. See CPT/ Inf (2008) 20, paragraph 35.

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