Two Inmates Found Dead in Greek Prisons

Two inmates were found dead in Greek prisons in one day. On Friday night, a 22-year-old woman was found dead in the Korydallos prison in Athens. The woman, who was imprisoned in the facility, was reportedly found hanged in the health center for prisoners of Korydallos.

A police statement reports that “In the evening hours of 24-10-2024, the aforementioned had been transferred to the special health center, from where she was taken to a psychiatric hospital for examination, as she exhibited delinquent behavior.”

The Hellenic Police report that the psychiatric hospital decided to return her to Korydallos. However, in the early morning hours of Friday, 25 October 2024, “she again showed disturbances” and was taken to the prisoners’ health center, from where she was to be transferred to the psychiatric hospital, but in the evening of the same day she was found deceased by a prison officer.

The police stated: “From the first moment the competent public prosecutor was informed, who ordered a preliminary investigation, during which two prison officers were arrested. A coroner was called and arrived at the site, as well as a crew of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and an autopsy was ordered.”

Also on Friday, in the Volos Youth Detention Center, a 21-year-old prisoner was reported dead inside the prison. The cause of death has not yet been confirmed; an autopsy will be conducted.

Around 24 hours later, the other prisoners in the youth facility set fire to their cells in protest. The fires spread and the flames extended to other areas of the buildings. Police forces and 10 firefighting vehicles were sent to the scene. No injuries were reported from the prisoners’ riot.

Earlier this month, on October 15, a 28-year-old inmate was found dead in his cell at Domokos prison.

At the start of October, a special UN anti-torture task force assigned to investigate and inspect cases of possible torture, mistreatment, and violations of prisoners’ human rights arrived in Athens. The unit was tasked with vetting the conditions in Greek prisons.