Penology in Greece
Greece's penological system has faced longstanding challenges, including overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, and insufficient rehabilitation programs. Recent reforms aim to address these issues, but significant obstacles remain.
🏛️ Reform Initiatives
In December 2022, Greece introduced community service as an alternative to imprisonment, aiming to alleviate overcrowding and provide rehabilitative opportunities. A 2023 meeting in Athens gathered stakeholders to discuss best practices and implementation strategies for community service within the Greek penitentiary system. (Portal)
Additionally, EPANODOS, a non-profit entity supervised by the Ministry of Citizen Protection, offers after-care services to former prisoners. These services include counseling, vocational training, and short-term housing to facilitate social reintegration. (EU Agency for Fundamental Rights)
⚠️ Persistent Challenges
Despite these efforts, Greece's prison system continues to struggle with severe overcrowding and inadequate living conditions. As of early 2025, 24 out of 34 correctional facilities exceeded their capacity, with some operating at over 140% occupancy. For instance, Korydallos Men's Prison had an occupancy rate of 152%. (TRT World, Prison Insider)
The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has reported that many prisoners are held in conditions that "represent an affront to their human dignity." Issues include filthy cells, inadequate sanitation, and insufficient access to hygiene products and hot water. (Portal, Prison Insider)
Healthcare services are similarly lacking, with 62% of prisons lacking a permanent doctor and 50% without psychologists or psychiatrists, despite 90% of inmates requiring mental health support. Additionally, 47% of prisons lack private spaces for psychiatric care. (tovima.com)
⚖️ Legal and Structural Reforms
Greece's Penal Code allows for early release under certain conditions, such as serving a portion of the sentence, participating in educational or vocational programs, or exhibiting good behavior. However, the application of these provisions has been inconsistent. The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has recommended that Greece continue to extend early release practices to address overcrowding and facilitate reintegration. (ecoi.net)
The CPT has also called for a revised Strategic Plan for the Penitentiary System, with clear timelines and financial costings, to address the systemic shortcomings identified in previous reports.
🧭 Conclusion
While Greece has initiated reforms to improve its penological system, significant challenges persist. Addressing overcrowding, enhancing healthcare services, and ensuring consistent application of legal provisions for early release are critical steps toward creating a more humane and effective prison system.
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