94. The provision of psychiatric care remained problematic in almost all pre-removal detention centres visited. The only exception was in Tavros (Petrou Ralli) PRDC, where a psychiatrist was present three days per month. In all other establishments visited, in the absence of an on-site psychiatrist, or even a psychologist, the psychiatric treatment and follow-up provided was entirely insufficient. Detained persons requiring treatment for their psychiatric disorder or to alleviate their substance use were only seen by a psychiatrist at the local hospital, or a psychologist on very rare occasions, despite the significant needs observed by the delegation.42 Moreover, several persons held at Xanthi PRDC had their prescriptions renewed without having been seen in person by the psychiatrist. At both Corinth and Xanthi PRDCs, the social assistant had been tasked to replace the psychologist to provide at least some psychiatric follow-up for those detained persons requiring psychiatric care. The above-mentioned case of the 24-year-old man who died on 24 October 2023 is also indicative of the lack of adequate psychiatric care and follow-up. Despite his psychiatric disorder, for which he received significant treatment with no fewer than seven different psychotropic drugs, based on a prior medical prescription, he had not been seen at all by a psychiatrist and only once by the psychologist of the centre on the day of his admission. The CPT recommends that the authorities take the necessary steps to improve the provision of psychiatric care and follow-up in the country’s pre-removal detention centres, and especially at Corinth PRDC. To this end, the regular presence of a psychiatrist (this is at least once a week) and a psychologist should be guaranteed and detained persons requiring psychotropic treatment should have regular in-person consultations to assess and adequately follow-up on their mental health situation. 95. Detained persons diagnosed as HIV-positive or who had Hepatitis B or C apparently continued to be segregated in conditions akin to solitary confinement at Tavros (Petrou Ralli) PRDC, in contrast to the practice applied in the other pre-removal detention centres visited. The delegation met an HCV-positive man who was being segregated for over nine months in complete isolation in the so-called “Special Treatment Wing” on the third floor. In addition, he was also receiving psychiatric medication. During these nine months, he had not benefitted from any association with other detained persons. At the time of the visit, the delegation was told that the person was segregated because he was a carrier of Hepatitis C. In the CPT’s view, segregating an HIV- or HCVpositive person for the sake of isolation from the rest of the population would be an approach that stems from outdated ignorance and that is not founded on any scientific data.43 The Greek authorities, in their response of 19 January 2024, indicated that the patient was held in a separated detention area to receive the necessary medical care and psychological support due to his “inappropriate behaviour”, his “ground disturbances” and for receiving psychiatric treatment. That said, the “support” and therapeutic treatment he received were limited to occasional consultations with the psychiatrist every few months and the distribution of his daily medication, and he spent more than 23 hours per day isolated in his cell. Although three other persons had previously been held in the same “Special Treatment Wing”, he complained that he had never had the possibility to associate with these persons. Placing a person in conditions akin to solitary confinement without appropriate care and support is totally unacceptable and not conducive to improving the psychological/psychiatric wellbeing of the person. The CPT reiterates its recommendation that the unnecessary and complete isolation of HIV- or HCV-positive persons at Tavros (Petrou Ralli) PRDC should be immediately ended. Any person requiring psychiatric treatment should be transferred to an appropriate establishment where they can benefit from appropriate medical care and psychological/psychiatric support. strike to protest the absence of a medical doctor at the centre. As previously indicated, a doctor had eventually been recruited and had started on the day before the delegation’s visit. 42. For instance, 25 persons at both Corinth and Paranesti PRDCs, 26 at Xanthi PRDC and 27 persons at Tavros (Petrou Ralli) PRDC required a daily psychotropic treatment, with several patients in need of up to five different drugs. 43. Hepatitis C, while a transmissible disease, is in no way contagious when managed properly. 30