Chronically ill prisoners are to be released

24 February 2014 / 17:02:18 GRReporter

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Within two days the Greek parliament will vote on an amendment that will open the way for the early release of prisoners suffering from serious diseases. They, of course, will be subject to certain constraints.

The amendment tabled in parliament by Minister of Justice Charalambos Athanasiou will allow prisoners sentenced to 10 years to take advantage of the opportunity of early release if they have served two-fifths of their sentence and have severe health problems (multiple sclerosis, paralysis of the lower limbs, cancer, if they are HIV positive or have undergone heart, kidney or other surgery). The certificate of disease will be issued only by public health institutions.

Such an amendment for mothers raising young children in prison is about to be enforced too.

The early release, however, excludes those convicted of terrorism, organized crime, paedophilia and civil servants convicted of abuse of official position.

Protest

Meanwhile, horrific photos of detainees under treatment in Korydallos hospital station have appeared on the web.

The 180 prisoners suffering from chronic diseases (HIV positive, cancer patients, patients with kidney disease, etc.) called for help, announcing at the same time a protest outside the horrific hospital, which was to take place this morning. In a group with the significant name @kolastirio (translated from Greek the word means "hell"), specifically created for this purpose on Twitter, the prisoners have uploaded horrific photos of the patients and the premises where they live and are under treatment. The prisoners warn about the threat of an epidemic of scabies and tuberculosis.

The shameful photos are accompanied by explanatory notes for "the hospital slums of hell", the dangers to public health posed by this "dumping ground for people," as they call the health station at the prison.

The prisoners also report that a female prosecutor who went to check the place refused to get close to them because she had "a family", as she had said.

Some shocking photos resemble anything but a health institution and show prisoners with terrible diseases and deformities.