- 53 111.
The CPT calls upon the Greek authorities to:
- devise a phased programme to reduce the occupancy levels in Korydallos Men’s Prison
from the current three or more prisoners per 9,5 m² cell to no more than two per cell;
- reduce the occupancy levels in the dormitories of Amfissa, Chios, Malandrino, Patras
and Thessaloniki Prisons to ensure that each prisoner is provided with at least 4m² of
living space;
- ensure that the 9m² cells in Korydallos Women's Prison in no cases accommodate more
than two persons;
- improve the living conditions at Thiva Prison with a view to alleviating the warehouse
environment;
- make concerted efforts to maintain the establishments visited in a good state of repair,
including the call bell systems, and to ensure that the accommodation areas in all
prisons are kept clean and basic hygiene levels are guaranteed;
- ensure that inmates in all prisons have access to hot water both for reasons of personal
hygiene as well as for washing bedding, clothes and dishes, and that they are allocated
lockable space for their personal belongings.
112. The Prison Law of 1999 recognises the importance of a satisfactory programme of activities
for the well-being of prisoners by enshrining the right for both remand and sentenced prisoners to
educational, sports and cultural activities.
However, as already indicated, in none of the prisons visited was there a purposeful regime
in place for the majority of prisoners. Not only were many prisoners not involved in some form of
organised activity, but the activities available often involved only a small part of the day or were
occasional work, and were mostly of a repetitive nature. Such a state of affairs is all the more
unacceptable given the clear legal provisions regulating the entitlement of all prisoners to inter alia
educational and vocational training, work, organised physical exercise, cultural and recreational
activities79.
113. Certainly the ability of the prison service to provide purposeful activities, linked in the case of
sentenced prisoners to an individualised treatment plan, is to a large extent undermined by the
problem of overcrowding. However, one should not wait for that problem to be resolved before
improving the opportunities available to prisoners. Proactive measures by the authorities are required,
otherwise the prison system is likely to become an even greater breeding ground for criminality. As
prisoners approach release into the community they need to be prepared for that step, to possess a
degree of self-worth and to feel capable of leading a life away from crime. A regime which provides
for varied activities is a vital component in the preparation for release, as well as being beneficial for
the running of the prison.
79
See Articles 34 to 50 of the Prison Law (Law 2776) of 22 December 1999.
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