V. LIFE AFTER DETENTION This section documents detained persons’ experiences of life after detention, drawing on the testimonies of four participants interviewed on the subject, and the experiences of four additional clients to whom we provided direct services, and whose circumstances after detention we carefully documented. This section does not provide a detailed legal analysis on the subjects outlined below as they are not the focus of the report. However, we have decided to include them because the experiences people have after they are released from detention are directly affected by their period in detention and are therefore vital to understanding the immense and devastating consequences of immigration detention. A. Freedom of movement Participants’ freedom of movement following their release varied, depending both on their legal status after release and the conditions of release. Three were released when they obtained refugee status: one after filing a successful objection to their detention after receiving a second rejection and two after receiving voluntary return papers after their second rejections. Of the two who received voluntary return papers, one did so at the discretion of the authorities due to her serious medical conditions while awaiting their appeal decision and one because he had been detained for the maximum period of 18 months while awaiting the decision of their appeal. These individuals were, therefore, subject to diverse legal conditions upon release. Those who were released with a second rejection, but without a voluntary return paper, or while awaiting the decision of their appeal, remained bound by their geographical restriction: they were therefore unable to legally leave Kos. Still, two of these participants found an irregular route to the mainland. In contrast, those with refugee status were no longer subject to the geographical restriction but chose to remain on Kos to organise their identification and travel documents – which can take many months – prior to their departure. Meanwhile, those who were provided voluntary return papers were able to circumvent the geographical restriction, and immediately travel to the mainland. While detained persons’ freedom of movement following their release varies depending on their legal status and the conditions of their release, all plan to leave the island, and many eventually do. B. Lack of information Participants reported having limited information regarding the reasons for their release as well as their rights and entitlements following their release. Louis informed us that he did not understand the voluntary return paper he was given, as it was written in French, which he cannot read. Florence told us that, upon her release, she was provided a paper to sign, but told us: “I don’t know what I signed”. She explained that this paper was in Greek, which she cannot read or speak. C. Housing insecurity and homelessness Florence, who was released after we filed a successful objection on her behalf, was suddenly released on a Friday evening, stating: “…I was sleeping and the police called me…They said the captain said you have to leave today”. She explained that she did not where to go after she was released: she did not have any money to pay for transport into Kos Town, where she had friends and acquaintances with whom she could stay. Although Florence had received a second rejection and was not eligible to stay in the RIC, she persuaded the authorities to allow her to sleep there for an evening, before going into town the following day. Meanwhile, another of our clients was suddenly released one weekday morning at the discretion of the authorities, without any further information. She lingered for several hours on the main road outside the PRDC and RIC, where she did not have any reception on her phone, as she tried to contact our office for assistance. When she finally 67 DETENTION OF MIGRANTS ON THE ISLAND OF KOS