Suffering at the Hands of the State: Conditions of Imprisonment and Prisoner Health in Contemporary Greece

European Journal of Criminology, Vol. 9, No. 1, 2012

19 Pages Posted: 29 Jun 2011 Last revised: 1 Jul 2011

See all articles by Leonidas K. Cheliotis

Leonidas K. Cheliotis

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Department of Social Policy and Administration

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Date Written: June 29, 2011

Abstract

With imprisonment rates rising in a large number of jurisdictions worldwide, evermore research attention has been paid to conditions of imprisonment and prisoner health. With a view to contributing to the emerging body of literature, this article offers a systematic summary of key findings from Greece. Prison establishments in this country are vastly overcrowded and material conditions of detainment are deplorable. Healthcare provision in prison is minimal, and the prevalence of serious transmittable diseases and mental disorders amongst prisoner populations is high, as are the rates of deliberate self-harm, suicide, and death more generally. Prisoner use of prescribed and illicit drugs is alarmingly common, especially as regards injection drugs, and drug overdose appears to account for the majority of deaths in custody.

Keywords: Greece, prison conditions, prisoner health, transmittable diseases, mental disorder, drug abuse

Suggested Citation

Cheliotis, Leonidas K., Suffering at the Hands of the State: Conditions of Imprisonment and Prisoner Health in Contemporary Greece (June 29, 2011). European Journal of Criminology, Vol. 9, No. 1, 2012, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1874756

Leonidas K. Cheliotis (Contact Author)

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Department of Social Policy and Administration ( email )

Houghton Street
London, England WC2A 2AE
United Kingdom

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