MyComPASS – Reintegration Guide
Developed for Greece from Action Synergy and Agia Rural Prisons
Contents
1. Introduction ...... 3 2. The penitentiary system, release preparation programmes and release procedures .. 4 3. Release and Rehabilitation Organisations ...... 6 3.1 Relevant Non-Governmental Organisations ...... 6 3.2 Supervisory Services ...... 7 3.3 Religious Organisations ...... 9 3.4 Public organisations ...... 10 4. Matters that may arise and how to deal with them ...... 12 4.1 Financial ...... 12 4.2 Training and Employment ...... 15 4.3 Shelters ...... 18 4.4 Food-Clothing ...... 19 4.5 Documents ...... 20 4.6 Health Care ...... 22 5. Special Prisoner Cases ...... 26 5.1 Issues of Mental and Phychological Health ...... 26 5.2 Handicap ...... 29 5.3 Aliens ...... 30 Participating penitentiaries ...... 32
1. Introduction
Dear friend,
The driver you hold currently was developed to help you during your first readapting days to society. The first days away from prison you need important information and support for significant issues such as financial issues, food, housing etc.
This driver was developed through the European project CLAP – Help for Released Persons. The project is an answer to the tough reality an ex-prisoner faces. If they don’t get ready well previously, the return risk to prison is much higher. CLAP aims to prepare them for these days offering a series of tools to prison workers and prisoners, but also to offer them the chance to bargain and agree for something in order every intervention to be as personal as possible.
This driver was developed using a series of interactive tools during the project with the help of the participant workers and prisoners feedback.
In this driver you will find all required information and contact details of organizations that will help you along the first days of your new life.
2. The penitentiary system, release preparation programmes and release procedures
According which law are prisons in Greece organized?
The general principles that are set by the written constitution The international agreements, the laws and the decrees The delegated acts Fundamental law : standing Penitentiary Code (Ν.2776/1999).
Who exert the penitentiary policy?
Central Scientific Prison Committee Central Prisoner Transfer Committee The Prison committees.
What types of prisons exist?
Α. In general
Prisons A Type : for people in custody and debtors who are imprisoned. Prisons B Type: imprisoned the rest categories
Β. Special Prisons
Agricultural Prison Central Warehouse of Prison Supplies Detention Premises for young persons’ detention Semi-free living centres (when they will start running)
Γ. Therapeutic Prisons
General Hospitals Psychiatric premises Centre of Rehabilitation for drug addicted detainees.
What are the current training programmes?
Primary schools with one teacher which provide qualifications equivalent to the corresponding schools of the same rank. Vocational training, specialization and apprenticeship programmes, (are organized by the prison Committees) Those who have completed primary education, can go on with secondary or post-secondary education getting educational leaves from the prison committee.
How do they prepare for the release?
Regular exit leaves Educational leaves for attending higher rank schools than the certificate of the school they already have. Community Service Provision. After-penitentiary care and making of guesthouses for up to 2 months (the sole official state organization at present is the Rehabilitation Centre for Ex- prisoners “EPANODOS” in Athens). Contact with the skilled scientific prison staff (social workers, psychologists, training staff etc.) Second Chance Schools Training on technology subjects Advisory and Self Help Groups
3. Release and Rehabilitation Organisations
3.1 Relevant Non-Governmental Organisations
To Non-Governmental Organisations belongs every non-governmental, public benefit organization (Association, Institution, etc.) that runs to national, international or transnational level, based in Greece, relies on private initiative and is state independent. Members of these associations are sensitive persons who share the same concern and participate voluntarily, without profit to be their ultimate aim.
In our country there are several Non Governmental Organisations to which one can ask for further support on matters of your concern.
The most known for their action and the development of programmes and actions including ex-prisoners are the following :
NGOs N Name Τelephone Address Webpage 1. EPANODOS- CENTRE 2108815904,21 Derigny 28-30, 10434 www.epanodos. EX-PRISONERS’ 08815032 Athens org.gr REHABILITATION E-Mail: CENTRE epanodos@epan odos.org.gr 2. PRAKSIS Athens (210 520 Athens head offices 57, www.praksis.gr (Development, 5200, 210 520 Stournari Str. (2nd floor), E-Mail: Social Support and 5202, 210 520 Kifisia, Postal Code: 10432 z.bavavea@prak Medical Partnership 5203, 210 520 sis.gr Programmes) 5204)
3. PRISONERS’ 210-3622017, 60a Asklipiou Str. & 8, www.onisimos.g SUPPORT 3645305 Sergiou Patriarchou, Athens r ASSOCIATION- Postal Code 11471 E-Mail: «ONISIMOS» alekos@onisimo s.gr 4. CLIMAKA 210 3417160-3, 50 Dekeleon Str., http://www.klim 2103454895-6 Keramikos, Athens aka.org.gr E-Mail: central@klimaka .org.gr 5. GREEK MEDECINES Athens : Athens: 12, Saphous Str., www.mdmgreec DU MONDE - 210.32.13.150 Postal Code 10553 e.gr GREECE Thessaloniki: Thessaloniki: 65, Ionos Athens: 2310.56.66.41 Dragoumi Str, Postal Code info@mdmgreec Perama: 54630 e.gr
210.44.14.788/ Perama: 5 Aristidou & Thessaloniki 216.70.01.596 Xenofontos Str., Postal Code :thessaloniki@m Crete- Chania: 18863 dmgreece.gr 28210.23.110 Crete-Chania: 11, Boniali Perama: Patra: Str., 73133 Chania perama@mdmgr 2610.31.03.66 Patraα: 92, Kapodistriou eece.gr Kavala: Str., Crete- Chania: 2510.227.224 Kavala: 13, Karanou Str. chania@mdmgre ece.gr Patra: patras@mdmgre ece.gr Kavala: kavala@mdmgre ece.gr 6. FREEDOM GATE 6991208469/ 67, Aristotelous Str., Postal http://freedomg 2114051921 Code 10434, Athens ategreece.blogsp ot.gr E-Mail: freedomgate.org @gmail.com 7. GREEK RED CROSS 210-3613848 1 Lykavitou Str., 106 72 www.redcross.gr Athens (Central Office. It informatics@red has 68 regional branches all cross.gr over Greece)
3.2 Supervisory Services
After your release, apart from your rights as ex-prisoner you have specific obligations which arise depending on the way of release.
Specifically, if you are released because your sentence has been converted to rendering of welfare work, a social assistance guardian from the service in charge for the area undertakes to supervise whether you comply with the terms and conditions imposed to you.
If you are released on restricted clauses, always depending on the rest of the sentence on suspension, you are obliged to show up at the police station of the area you live for a certain period of time and also you are prohibited to quit the country.
This period of time is considered to be a test period and if during this time, the released persons commit a crime, then the suspension is cancelled and is ordered again their imprisonment in order to serve the rest period of the sentence that was suspended. If during the test period, you want to change area or region of residence, you have to inform the authorities (police station and the Public
Prosecutor’s Office that issued the release judgement) in order to be aware of your place of residence.
Beyond the sphere of monitoring after release, there are the Social Assistance Guardians Services, which are services of the Ministry of Justice from which all released persons should seek help. Their mission is the rendering of advisory and mediation services which will help the released person to their social rehabilitation. Knowing the welfare organizations of the wider community, they offer information on subjects concerning : health care, employment, development of vocational skills, information about the operation of the responsible organizations and services and mediate when necessary in order to cover the household obligations or needs for the family members of released persons, in order their access to labor market to be possible. Moreover, they offer advisory support for the handling of family problems and interpersonal relationships.
That’s why it’s important all released persons to ask for help immediately after their release. At present have been set up and run (14) Social Assistance Guardian Services as following :
SUPERVISORY SERVICES N Name Telephone Fax Address 1. 210- Former military 88.27.408 Academy Building Athens 210-88.27.790 210- 16, Office 110 88.27.865 Postal Code 10161 2. 210- 45.82.061 PIRAEUS 210-42.85.606 210- 42.85.606 3. 2310- 3, 26th October 51.14.44 Str. – Postal Code THESSALONIKI 2310-51.47.92 2310- 54122 50.73.82 4. 26510- IOANNINA 26510-64207 64428 5. 26610- New Fortress 30482 ή Square – Postal CORFU 26610-20178 26610- Code 49100 39510 6. 24610- KOZANI 24610-34730 34730 7. 10. Kapodistriou 22310- 22310-45950 LAMIA Str. – Postal Code 45950 22310-38122 35100 8. Megalou 2410- LARISA 2410-53.21.31 Alexandrou Str. – 53.21.31 PO Box 1301-
Postal Code 41110 9. 27520- NAFPLIO 27520-29043 29043 10. 2610- PO Box 3143 321430 PATRA 2610-338575 2610- 313029 11. 25310- 32, Harilaou 60576 Trikoupi Str. – RODOPI 25310-60575 25310- Postal Code 69100 60577 - PO Box 435 12. 28-30, Iroon 22410- RHODES 22410-20670 Polytehneiou Str. - 20670 Postal Code 85100 13. 18, Vokotopoulou & Androu Str.- 22810- SYROS 22810-89311 Ermoupoli Syros – 89310 Postal Code 84100 - PO Box 186 14. Eleftherias Square, 28210- Law Court Building CHANIA 28210-47054 47054 – Postal Code 73100
3.3 Religious Organisations
In most Holy Metropolises of the country have been set up institutions, associations and helpdesks which support persons with serious financial and social problems and generally belong to the vulnerable population groups. A lot of times they are supported by the Welfare Foundation and get free meals or necessities for the period they face livelihood problems. You can get information depending on your place of residence from the ecclesiastical provinces :
Religious Organisations N Name Telephone Address Webpage 1. Emergencies Office 210.3352.331 of the Holy Monday to Archdiocese of Friday, except Athens holidays and public holidays 9.00 - 13.00. 2. TAVITHA 210.5240.070 23, Akominatou Str. (Karaiskaki Square) 3. Institution of 2130184404, 8, Iras & Despos diakoniaprevention@
Psychosocial 2310184410 & Sehou yahoo.gr Assistance and 2130184419 (Kynosargous Support of Holy Square), 117 43 Metropolis of Athens Neos Kosmos «DIAKONIA» 4. Helathcare 210.9641.782 28, Promitheos www.kokkori.gr Institution for and email : People with Agamemnonos, [email protected] Intellectual Postal Code 166 Disabilities or Downs 74, Ano Glyfada, syndrome "M. Athens KOKKORI" 5. Youth Institution of 213 018 4438, 37, Despos http://www.neotita.g the Holy Metropolis 213 018 4448 Sehou, r of Athens Kynosargous Square, Postcode 11 743, N. Kosmos 6. Rehabilitation 210 81 41 736 27, Hrisanthemon Centre for Ill- Str., Anoixi Attica adjusted Persons “Damaris”/Special Institution for Ill- adjusted Females 7. Non-governmental 213 0184400-99, 8, Iras & Despos [email protected] Organisation of the 210 9246740 Sehou Str.,Postal Holy Metropolis of Code 117 43 – Athens“APOSTOLI” Neos Kosmos, Attica
FREE MEALS
At the parishes of the Holy Metropolis of Athens meals are offered daily. For the breadlines that are handed out to homeless persons in association with the Centre of Homeless of the City of Athens, you can contact the Non—Profit Organisation "APOSTOLI" (Telephone : 213 018 4 400).
3.4 Public organisations
For all public organizations and bodies, you can get information from the official portal of the Government government.gov.gr and the Greek parliament www.parliament.gr. For those who don’t have access to internet, relevant ministries and public organizations are the following :
PUBLIC ORGANISATIONS N Name Telephone Address Webpage 1. Ministry of 2105295001, 49, Pireos Str., Postal www.ypakp.gr Employment and 2131516000 Code 101 82 Athens Social Security ,2105295000 ,2105295100 2. Ministry of Justice 2107767000 96, Mesogeion www.ministryofju ,2107767001 Avenue, Postal Code stice.gr ,2131307000 11527 Athens 3. Ministry of Health and 2105232820 17-19, Aristotelous www.mohaw.gr Social Support ,2105232821 Str., Postal Code 10187 -9 ,2105249010 -19
All ministries have regional directorates at most areas of Greece, which you can contact for any matter that is within the scope of the above ministries. Citizens are served from Monday to Friday mornings
4. Matters that may arise and how to deal with them
4.1 Financial
It’s logical for a while the released person to have major financial problems after release. That’s why most of the detention premises provide the released persons the day of their release with an amount of money to cover their expenses until they reach their home. Furthermore poor persons are provided with a travel document in order to travel free to their home.
When you will be at home, it’s likely to face financial problems, small or big, either because you aren’t able to have income, or because of your imprisonment kept you off your vocational and social life and consequently, you lost your capability for an appropriate financial management.
Financial management means to control your money and at same time to be able to plan for the future, ensuring a sufficient living. The expenses differ from person to person and from family to family. Expenses will emerge about which you didn’t have to deal with while you were imprisoned such as rent, heating, household expenses (power supply, telephone, heating, etc), food, medical matters, saving matters or even entertainment.
All this are settled by your income but one has to consider that a sum is deducted from the income due allowances for the income tax, for social security, healthcare or the pension scheme in force. So it’s necessary to put in order your needs and expenses so as in the first place at least not to spend money excessively. If you have a low income, you have to avoid large bills and luxury costs. Some bills have to be paid once a week : food, tickets (bus, metro etc.). Other bills are paid monthly in due dates : the rent, loan installments, mortgage, life and health security, subscription to satellite television etc. Some other bills are paid every two months : telephone, power supply, water etc.
If you owe money, then you are in a state of debt. This state is a fact for most Greeks and ends up to be a problem only when you can’t pay up your bills or your loans.
So, in case there are financial problems and difficulties after your release, you can contact the Social Services of the Municipality you live, the presently existing possibilities and the social research that will be carried out by social workers, you are going to have for a period a financial support as a welfare payment.
Attention : As a released person, you have to receive in three monthly installments a special welfare payment from the Public Employment Service (OAED) of your
area. Below there is extensive information concerning the supporting documents and the procedure you have to follow.
Moreover, for financial support you can contact :
FINANCIAL SUPPORT N Name Telephone Address Webpage 1. Onisimos 210- 60Α Asklipiou.& 8 E-Mail: 3622017, Sergiou [email protected] 210- Patriarchou Str., Ιστοσελίδα: 3645305 11471 www.onisimos.gr 2. City of Pireus: 210- 100 Kountouriotou www.pireasnet.gr «Social Service» 4196025, Str., 4th Floor 210- 4196043 3. Holy Archdiocese of 210- 21 Agias Filotheis www.archdiocese.gr e- Athens: «Movement 3352314 Str., 105 56 Athens mail: [email protected] of Love» 4. City of Thessaloniki- 2310- 7, Paparigopoulou www.thessaloniki.gr Social Service 528483, Str.,Dimokratias 2310- Square, 375342, Thessaloniki 2310- 530322, 2310- 530977 5. District of 1536, 2313- 198, Vas. Olgas Thessaloniki 319686, Str., Thessaloniki 6. Holy Metropolis of 2310- 7, Vogatsikou Str., www.imth.gr Thessaloniki 261216 Thessaloniki, 546 22 7. Prisoners’ Support 24210 152, K. Kartali Str., Association of Volos 30054, Spiritual Centre of "The Crucifix- 25409 Holy Metropolis Estavromenos" (Spiritual Dimitriados, Postal Centre), Code 38221 6946 – 370311 8. City of Heraklion 2813- 2, Androgeo Str., http://www.heraklion.gr Social Development 412516-9 Heraklion, Crete Service 9. Holy Archdiocese of 2810- 25, Agiou Mina Crete 335840 – 7 Square, Postal Code 712 01, Heraklion, Crete
Note: The residents of the rest areas can contact the City’s Welfare Service of their residence. Furthermore, the churches of their residence through the parish charitable fund.
If you are indebted and not able to settle your debts it’s possible to make a extrajudicial agreement with the help of special programmes that are worked on by several organizations and associations. EKPIZO (Consumers’ Unions) and New INKA have announced the startup of a free judicial assistance programme for indebted consumers who live in Attica and are unable to cover the cost of their recourse to Magistrates’ Court in the framework of the Law 3869/2010. The programme is accomplished through the collaboration of Consumers’ Unions EKPIZO and new INKA and concerns the support of indebted consumers after the failure of extrajudicial attempt until the application’s sumittal to the Magistrates’ Court and its notification.
However, in the middle of the current unfavourable period that the country goes through, more and more persons who belong to the «vulnerable» population groups (poor people, longstanding unemployed people, low pensioners, having many children, handicapped, etc.) can’t cope with the cost of the judicial procedure thereby they are excluded by that fact from the law in question and confront with the risk of losing their house and be marginalized. The aim of the action is to take advantage of the chances offered by the law for the settlement of debts of indebted natural persons from vulnerable population groups in order to readapt to the active social and financial action making a new start in their life.
Due restrictions of the budget the programme will be pilot in the first place and concerns a limited number of consumers who live within Attica. The selection criteria are strictly determined and temporal priority is followed.
Discount to power supply bills to financially-weak citizens – Social Domestic Tariffs
Due to the unfavorable financial conditions and the difficulties that most households face, the Pulbic Power Corporation (DEI) makes it possible for all financially- and socially-weak consumers, such as handicapped persons – over 67% disability - or persons who support dependant members with over 67% disability, with annual household income less than 23.500 euros to pay their power supply bill at successive payments-up to 40 interest-free installments, for who power supply won’t be disconnected for six months.
We separated the vulnerable consumers into six categories judging by the extent of their “consistency” with the payments. In total six months in a year the Public Power Corporation won’t disconnect power supply to financially and socially vulnerable population groups and specifically, power supply won’t be disconnected in winter during November, December, January and February and in summer during July and August. Vulnerable household customers and people with mechanical support are included in the Social Household Tariffs of the Public Power Corporation (DEI). For
the rest cases, according to the Corporation (DEI), settlements will be resolved after examination from expert committees at the customer service points of the Corporation. The company will inform shortly for details.
4.2 Training and Employment
In Greece, OAED (Manpower Employment Organisation) is the official organization that deals with employment, employment issues, labor force of the country, Is a legal entity of public law supervised by the Hellenic Ministry of Labor Social Insurance and Welfare. OAED consists of the Central Administration, seven Regional Directorates (Attica and Islands, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Central and Western Macedonia, Thessaly, Epirus, Peloponnesus and Crete), Local Employment Offices (KPA2), as well as three Vocational Schools (APPRENTICESHIP VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS/EPAS – OAED ΙΕΚ – OAED ΚΕΚ).
Jobseekers, visit at first the office in charge at the jobseeker’s residence area, in order to register and obtain the unemployment card, to declare the expertise and qualification he may have and contact the employment counselor who will counsel and direct him how to integrate into the actions and programmes provided by OAED. Unemployed have to show up every month at OAED office in order to renew the unemployment card for as long as they continue to be unemployed.
Particularly for ex-prisoners there are quite a lot programmes and actions :
Ex-prisoners who were in prison for at least two months and considering they aren’t habitual offenders, can receive a special allowance from OAED, within three months after the release and considering he has a positive report from the prison’s Social Service. The sum they receive amounts to 15 basic daily unemployment allowance.
Moreover, two programmes are underway into which ex-prisoners have the right to integrate and specifically :
Α. The Subsidy programme for New Self-Employed Persons. The programme is aimed at unemployed persons who belong to the Special Social Population Groups (Special- Needs persons, Ex-prisoners and Ex-addicted persons). Aim of the programme is to find jobs to unemployed persons who belong to the Special Social Population Groups, to support the social-economical integration of these groups and to overcome the obstacles in labor market as well as to assure equal opportunities, through the financial assistance of business initiatives and is given the opportunity to these people to set up their own enterprise with funding from OAED.
Supporting documents for Ex-prisoners:
a) Release document with release date after 01-01-2006. It’s possible to integrate into the programme people who will submit a release document from E.U. countries b) A report from the Social Service or the director of the detention premise, that the person needs social-economic support and is suggested to integrate into a funding New Self- Employed Programme from OAED (Manpower Employment Organisation).
It’s pointed out that : the persons who will be included to these programmes should have served a prison term for at least a six (6) months.
Β. The Programme of Aiding Employers through a subsidy aiming at recruiting people from vulnerable population groups
It is equivalent to the amount of the social security contribution aiming at recruiting unemployed people with Disabilities, Ex-addicts, Ex-convicts and Young Delinquents. The programme is aimed at private enterprises, Cooperatives, Vocational Unions, Unions, Non-profit companies, Social Cooperatives, Consortiums and in general employers from private sector, giving priority to small enterprises which employ up to 50 persons the date that will express interest to participate in the programme. Aim of the programme is the creation of new job positions subsidizing part of the wage labor and non-wage labor costs, which is equivalent to the total of insurance contribution, as an initiative to recruit unemployed people from vulnerable population groups.
The organisations in Greece that offer support to ex-prisoners who seek employment are the following :
EMPLOYMENT PROMOTION CENTRES (ΚΠΑ2) The Employment Promotion Centres offer services the following services :
- Personalized approach, counseling and work placement
- Benefits and other social protection provisions
- Implementation and management of programmes and active employment policies.
At these centres, run also 6 Employment Offices for Social Population Groups (in Athens, Thessaloniki, Larisa, Volos, Patras and Heraklion Crete) which aim at the inclusion in labor market the population groups that are threatened with social exclusion : Handicapped, Ex- prisoners, ex-addicts, Young Delinquents or persons at social risk, other socially vulnerable population groups.
OAED EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS (APPRENTICESHIP VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS (EPAS)-INSTITUTES OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING (ΙΕΚ)-ΚΕΚ OAED)
OAED implements the apprenticeship system for vocational training at the various apprenticeship schools (EPAS) in the country, which combines in-class vocational education with remunerated on-the-job training (traineeship) in businesses. Aim : to acquire the students professional experience in real work conditions so as to facilitate their subsequent integration into the labour market. Moreover, OAED is responsible for the operation of several Institutes of Vocational training (IEK) around Greece, which offer initial post-secondary vocational training based on both theoretical and laboratory courses. OAED’s ΙΕΚ are supervised by the Institute of Adult Continuing Education (IDEKE). Aim : to acquire the students professional skills through specialized scientific and technical knowledge, so as to be well-prepared for their entry into the labour market.
Second Chance Schools :
Aim of Second Chance Schools is to promote employment and social adaptation of young people who haven’t completed compulsory education and namely the lower level of Secondary Education (High-School) and lack in the required qualifications and skills for the labor market.
Eligible to enroll are all citizens above 18 who have primary school qualification or equivalent qualification acknowledged by the Greek state. Enrolments are carried out throughout the school year for the next school year, at the Second Chance School of the residence area for those interested. The course lasts 18 months and is divided into two 9-months terms (two school years).
The successful completion of the students’ 2-year schooling is certified by a qualification equivalent to high school qualification.
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING N Name Telephone Address Webpage 1. OAED Main Offices 210-998.9000 8, Ethnikis www.oaed.gr Special Social Antistasis Str. - Population 174 56 Alimos Groups’ Service 210-998.9185 & 210-998.9192 2. OAED VOCATIONAL 210-998.9631 2, D. Gounari & GUIDANCE Vouliagmenis Str. DIRECTORATE 518 / 174 56 - 3. OAED INITIAL 210-998.9695-6, VOCATIONAL 210-998.9699 EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING
DIRECTORATE 4. ADULTS 210-998.9671-2 VOCATIONAL TRAINING DIRECTORATE 5. Hellenic Innovation 210-7491100, 16, Xenias & E-mail: Relay Centre (IRC- 210-7491383 Evrou Str., 11528 [email protected] Hellenic) Webpage : www.eommex.gr 6. “Hellenic Red Cross” 210-3633153, 1, Lykavitou Str., www.redcross.gr : Welfare Sector 210-3613574, 106 72 210-3610683 7. ARSIS – Social 210–8259880 28 Derigny & 3rd Organisation for September Str., Young People 10434 Support 8. General Secretariat 213-1311693, 417, Aharnon www.gsae.edu.gr for Lifelong Learning 213-1311619 Str., 111 43, Athens 9. Youth Institution 417 Aharnon and and Lifelong Kokkinaki Str., Learning 111 43 Athens (Ι.ΝΕ.ΔΙ.ΒΙ.Μ.) 10. Second Chance 213-1311684, Schools 213-1311515
4.3 Shelters
For a great deal of ex-prisoners emerges a very serious housing matter particularly when family bonds have broken up and there is no contact and support from their broader family and social environment. In our country there isn’t unfortunately not even a state building to shelter and offer meals to ex-prisoners. However, there are several possibilities to receive support for a particular period (usually two months) either from the Church or from Non-governmental Organisations until they are able to live in their own house. Temporary stay you can find :
SHELTERS N Name Telephone Address Webpage 1. Archdiocese of Athens www.archdiocese. /Church of Greece- gr Guesthouses for Poor People 2. Shelter for Poor People 210- 24 Granikou Str., of the Church of Agion 5224310, 10435, Thysio & Asomaton 210- Lenidou and
3215551 Kynegyrou, 104 35, Thysio 3. Homeless Shelter, 210– 19, Omiridou Skylitsi «Anakoufisi» 4133187, Str., Piraeus 210- 4133940 4. Shelter of the Church 210- 122, Petras Str., 104 of Agios Konstantinos 5132669 44, Kolonos Kolonos 5. Klimaka (Social Service) 210- 30-32 Evmolpidon Str., www.klimaka.org. 3417160/3 11854, Gazi gr 6. Xenonas (Shelter of 210- 21, Tenedou Str., xenonas@klimaka Klimaka) 9211649 10437 Kipseli .org.gr 7. Onisimos 210- 60A Akslipiou & 8, www.onisimos.gr 3622017 Sergiou Patriarhou Str., 11471 8. City of Athens : 210- 35, Pireos Str. Homeless Shelter 5246516 «KYADA» 9. Homeless Shelter 210496775 210 Petrou Rali & (Municipality of 7 Thiseos Str., Perivolaki Piraeus) Nikaia 10. Social Shelter Karea 210- 116, Karea Avenue, 7650982, 16233 Vironas 210- 7650079
4.4 Food-Clothing
If you are unable to have food and clothing after release, there is a way in every city to meet your daily needs. Considerable help offers the Municipality’s Social Service of your residence, since quite a lot municipalities have set up a community food bank and social cuisine, serving and supporting citizens who are struggling financially. If the municipality of your area hasn’t developed similar programmes, the staff of Social Services knows and will recommend you other social organizations or associations at your area. Help you can also get from the church of your area. Most churches have charity actions from volunteers offering food and clothing. The same does Red Cross which also covers necessities.
So if you need food or necessities (clothes, bed sheets, personal hygiene, etc.), you can contact the following organizations :
FOOD-CLOTHING N Name Telephone Address Webpage 1. Holy Archdiocese of 210- 21, Agias Filotheis Athens («Love 3352330 Str., 105 56 Movement»). Athens 2. City of Athens – Homeless 210 – 35, Piraeus Str., [email protected] Shelter (KYADA). 5239465 Athens 3. Caritas Hellas 210- 52, Kapodistriou 5246637 Str. Τ.Κ. 104 32 Athens, Vafis Square 4. Homeless Friends 210 – 23, Akominatou 5240070 Str., Athens 5. Holy Archdiocese of Crete 2810- 25, Agiou Mina 335840 – 7 Square, Postal Code 712 01, Heraklion Crete 6. Hellenic Red Cross 210- Hellenic Red 3629842 Cross Social Services of Regional Departments in : Chalkida, Xanthi, Larisa, Lamia, Ioannina, Corfu, Igoumenitsa, Chania, Heraklion Crete, Tripolis, Agrinio, Arta.
4.5 Documents
At your release you receive from the prison’s secretary office the release paper and the decree for your release, which was issued the competent First Instance Judicial Council. The secretary’s office will inform you about your obligations as ex-prisoner and will answer to any questions. Moreover the prison’s secretary office will return you all your personal documents that were kept in your personal file during your transfer from prison to prison (ID, travel documents, certificates, bank cards, Tax Identification Number Certificate, and anything else that can be useful when you release and have transactions with public bodies). Like every citizen, you should have the required documents which will certify your identity either during transactions with public bodies but also generally.
In order to carry out your administrative matters easier and avoid the pointless movements and possible tensions with the employees, you can call the citizen’s telephone line or ή 1564
(citizens call center service). You could also visit a Citizen Service Center (KEP), Webpage: www.kep.gov.gr, through which you can ask for a document’s issue or a supporting document.
The most important document is you ID, without which isn’t possible to have any transaction with public bodies.
How to obtain the Social Security Number (ΑΜΚΑ)
The Social Security Number (ΑΜΚΑ) is basically the work and insurance identity for every worker, retired and dependent member of their family in our country. The Social Security Number makes easier and more quickly all your transactions concerning your work and insurance such as : to start up a new business and an insurance, to pay your insurance contribution, to issue or renew your health booklet, to get your pension or any other allowances with less delay and bureaucracy. You and the dependant members of your family, can obtain your own Social Security Number at the various Citizen Service Centers (KEP) and Social Security number Offices that run at Social Security Organisations all over Greece.
How to obtain the Vat Regigtration Number (ΑΦΜ)
The Vat Registration Number is a number which is issued for everyone by the Tax Service and is unique. It’s obligatory for everyone to have a Vat Registration Number. The Vat Registration Number is basically like our ID, concerning the Tax Service and tax issues. This number represents all our tax issues. It comes from the initials of the words Number of Tax Register and is issued by the Tax Service to which we belong.
Apart from the Vat Registration Number in our life has come the “key number”.
The key number is an array of characters which corresponds to any natural person or legal entity. You can obtain the key number from any Tax Service – and basically it’s necessary for the electronic management of your tax obligations. It’s a “code”, which is necessary in order to connect with the taxisnet system, and with which basically you can “authorize” for example your accountant to manage some of your tax obligations or everything. The key number is basically a unique code of identification with your person, which allows you to access electronically your tax issues through internet – through taxisnet : to check several things, to submit, to see the history record, etc.
What is the tax report
The tax report is a report we submit every year to the state, in which are reported all your possessions and the income - expense for the previous year. With the tax report, the state knows all the financial details for you and depending on the laws and regulations, a sum (tax) lapses which we have to pay. In the tax report we report the landed property we own and other possessions we have, our income, our expense, etc. So, according to what we report, a tax may arise which we have to pay. We submit a tax report for the previous year. After 2013, it’s obligatory for everyone above 18 years old.
How to obtain tax clearance certificate
Tax clearance certificate is a supporting document (certificate) which we get from the Tax Service which states that we have no financial debt to it.
For the Tax Clearance Certificate ask several services in order to serve us and on condition we have no obligations to the state we can carry on our work.
If we owe, we can’t get this document and therefore we can’t carry on our work e.g at another public body where this document is needed.
So, indirectly, we are forced not to owe the Tax Service.
Yet, it’s important to know details for any issue that concerns you concerning procedures in public bodies. You can get information from ermis portal which is the Hellenic Government Portal / Governmental Portal for Public Administration and was created to inform citizens and businesses and for safe services of electronic transactions. The Governmental Portal provides from a central point a complete briefing to citizens and businesses concerning all their transactions with Public Administration (natural or electronic), as well as selected services of Electronic Transactions through which the citizens can be served electronically from Public Administration. From business aspect, ermis portal is the «electronic department store» of Public Administration : http://www.ermis.gov.gr
4.6 Health Care
The term “health” means the complete body and mind wellness and not exclusively the health lack. Therefore, health means physical fitness, mental and sentimental situation of the person and is related directly with psycho-social, economic, even environmental factors. The access to high level therapeutic treatment and healthcare is a primary right for all people.
Healthcare and hospital care in Greece is provided by the public and the private sector. Free healthcare is provided by the state hospitals and the centres of the National Health System. At private clinics, the patient has to pay for the rendered services, except if the insured person belongs to a social security organisation which has made a cooperation agreement with the private clinic.
Immigrants and refugees who live permanently in Greece have equal rights with natives concerning the access to health and welfare services that are provided by the state. But even in cases that the conditions of permanent stay in the country are not fulfilled, some services are provided by the state if there is immediate need. Now most hospitals in our country accept and care for uninsured citizens a particular day of the week. Apart from the hospitals there are Medical Centres which provide Medical First Aid, medical examinations and prescribe medicines. There are also non- governmental organizations that cover a large number of medical needs such as Non-governmental Organisations but also the Church.
In order immigrants have equal access to the Greek citizens concerning the services provided by the National Health System it’s necessary to have a residence permit, that is, to live permanently in the country, to have a residence permit and to be insured by any Social Security Organisation.
Social Security in Greece is obligatory for all workers and a necessary requirement in order someone to have access to medical services provided by the state. For immigrants who don’t have a residence permit and aren’t insured, are provided the required medical services and hospital treatment and health care at state hospitals (hospitals of the National health Service), only in case of emergency and until their health is stabilized.
Refugees who live legally in Greece, are covered by the Social Security Organisation by which their work is insurable and have access to public medical services with the same terms and conditions that apply to Greek citizens.
For their access to medical services, refugee workers have to use their personal health booklet that is provided by their Security Organisation. In case there are dependent family members who live legally in the country, don’t work and aren’t covered by any Security Organisation, the worker refugee is provided with a family health booklet which are covers the family members.
Refugees who live legally in the country but they are unemployed so they aren’t covered by any Security Organisation, have the right to free health care an hospital medical care as far as they don’t have the financial means. To the refugees who don’t have residence permit or the procedure of their request for asylum hasn’t been completed, it’s provided health care and hospital medical care from public hospitals, only in case of emergency and until their health is stabilized.
In case of emergency
You can call the National Instant Aid Centre, dial the number 166 from any phone. An ambulance of the National Instant Aid Centre comes and transfers the patient to any of the public hospitals on duty.
Concerning the public health system separated into 7 health regions to which belong the public hospitals and health centres.
Apart from the State, a major part of health services, social support and protection, is covered by non-governmental and volunteer organizations, which carry out programmes financed by National Organisations such as the UN Refugee Agency, the European Union, volunteer contributions, national resource, etc.
If you are an AIDS virus carrier (+HIV)
HIV is a virus. Some viruses, like those which cause the common cold or the flu, remain in the body just for a few days. When someone is infected with HIV, is "HIV positive" and will always be. With the passing of time, HIV disease infects and destroys the white blood cells which are called CD4 lymphocytes (or "Τ cells") and και it’s possible to leave the body unable to fight some infections and to create cancer. With the timely and right antiretroviral therapy (ART), the body remains healthy and confronts with most infections.
HEALTH CARE N Name Telephone Address Webpage 1. Special Service 210 - 6-8, Macedonia Department for 8899000 Str., Athens Aliens at the Centre of Special Infections Control (ΚΕΕΛ), 2. Ministry of health – 210- 17, Aristotelous Welfare 5232820 to str., Athens 29 3. Red Cross Lodging 210- 1, Lykavitou Str., www.redcross.gr Centres 3639538 Athens 4. PRAKSIS Attica Group Attica Group Practice : Practice : 5, 2108213704 Paioniou Str., Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Group Group Practice : Practice: 1, 2310556145 Arkadioupoleos & Agiou Dimitriou Str. 5. Hellenic Center for 210- 3-5 Agrafon [email protected]
Disease Control and 5212000 str.,Marousi, Prevention (HCDCP). Postal Code 151- 23 6. AIDS Help Line 210- [email protected] 72.22.222 (runs working days, Monday- Friday from 09:00 to 21:00 ) 7. Hellenic Center for 2310- 76, Egnatias str. [email protected] Disease Control and 229139, 6th Floor, Postal Prevention of 2310- Code 546 24, Thessaloniki 243363 Thessaloniki (HCDCP) 8. Guesthouse for 210- [email protected] +HIV poor adults 5240390-91 9. Life Center 2107257617, 42, Iera Odos, www.kentrozois.gr 2107294747 Postal Code 104 35, Keramikos 10. Greek Association of 210- 13, Agion www.positivevoice.gr +HIV «Positive 8627572 Anargyron, Voice» 10554, Athens
5. Special Prisoner Cases
5.1 Issues of Mental and Phychological Health
The first period after your release it’s very possible to face difficulties at many levels which if there is not the suitable social and family environment to support you, will cause considerable psycho-emotional burden which will influence your everyday life, your interpersonal relations and will mislead you from fulfilling your aims and expectations. This can be a temporary unpleasant annoyance and is a characteristic of everyday life, however, a lot of times occurs in association of great psychological tension and particularly unpleasant feelings so that we talk about psychological disorder which occurs together with a broad range of symptoms. The most common are psychological tension, sentimental instability, disturbed attitude, loss of memory, reduced reality awareness, illusions or raving ideas, stress, obsessive fear, loss of appetite, sleeping disorders. Both psychological disorder and mental discomfort arise with large frequency in the overall population and are considered the same as the rest body illnesses and treated with therapy. There are quite effective therapies depending on the form of disorder but also the needs per case. Namely, there are psycho-pharmaceutical interventions based on the appropriate medication but also psychotherapy (individual or/and in a group) which is based upon the interpersonal relation between psychotherapist - patient and not on medicines.
How to understand that you need help :
Difficulties at work or family, long lasting painful situations, abandonment or offensive actions require increased caution for our mental health. Sometimes to ask for help is easy, other times is difficult for us to accept that we need help since we are afraid of social stigmatization or often we think that only severe cases ask for help from psychotherapists. There are periods during which the seeking of help, the timely intervention would lessen tensions or would make easier the problem solving. During such periods usually we face the following situations :
• Lack of satisfaction and weakness of taking pleasure
• Feeling that there is no point of life
• Loss of mood for social contacts. Professional activities or general emotional unease.
• Feeling of losing control over practical issues (e.g. management of financial issues which were managed relatively easy in the past)
• Recent facts which unbalance the normal pace of everyday life (πχ. imprisonment) and need to redefine new ones (e.g. reintegration)
• Insistent physical discomfort without biological basis
• Problems in the family or/and wider social environment
• Use/abuse of alcohol and other addictive drugs
There are a lot of different help points for these cases :
The Centres of Mental Health and Care, the Psychiatric Departments of General Hospitals, the Psychiatric Hospitals, Municipality Counseling Stations, as well as specialized structures for mental health. Psychiatrists, psychologists but also other trained therapists could help you to face the difficult crisis.
Self-help groups, associations and clubs may be beneficial in some cases. These groups provide mutual support from people who face a similar experience.
Also, help from friends and people who care for you can be an important source of support since if you talk to them, they can guide you to look for the appropriate help for you. Certainly, the most important is to talk to someone who knows.
Attention! If you are in despair and need immediate help, you can call or visit a hospital’s emergencies/outpatients.
Usually in the first pages of the phone book there are telephone numbers of social services that could help.
Also, in the calendar or address book you may use, you can find and dial the telephone number of a hotline where anonymously you can talk to mental health specialists about your problem.
MENTAL AND PHYSCHOLOGICAL HEALTH N Name Telephone Address Webpage 1. 14, Dilou, MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF 210-7644705, Kaisariani Postal VIRONA-KAISARIANIS 7262247 Code 16121 2. 42,Davaki- COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH 210-7718320, Pindou Str. CENTRE OF ZOGRAFOU 7481174 Postal Code 15773 Zografou 3. 1, Ferekydou Str, MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF 210-7016611 Postal Code. PANGRATI 11635 Pangrati
4. l. Mesogeion and 210- 6, Zaloggou Str., MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF 6015079,6016 Postal Code HALANDRI 030 15343 Agia Paraskevi 5. 19, Ploutonos 5756226, MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF and Ifestoy Str., 5756401, PERISTERI Postal Code 5756664 12135 Peristeri 6. Karaoli & 1, Dimitriou Str., MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF Dimokratias THESSALONIKI (CENTRAL 2310-548113 Square Postal FIELD) Code54630 Thessaloniki 7. 20, St. Papadopoulou MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF 2310-629159, Str., Sykies, THESSALONIKI (NORTHWEST 629310 Postal Code SECTOR) 56625 Thessaloniki 8. 41, Patriarhou Grigoriou Ε’, MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF Postal Code THESSALONIKI (WESTERN 2310-726918 56123 SECTOR) Ampelokipoi Thessaloniki 9. 19, Dimitras Str., (Old Hospital, 3rd MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF 25510-20287, Floor), Postal ALEXANDROUPOLI 25845 Code 68100 Alexandroupoli 10. 9, Ippokratous MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF Str., Ilioupoli, 23210-51230 SERRES Postal Code 62100 Serres 11. 10, 25th Martiou 2510-246233, Str., Agios MENTAL HELATH CENTRE OF 243992, Loukas, Postal KAVALA 246443 Code 654 04 Kavala 12. 35, Valaoritou MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF 26510-74227, Str., Postal Code IOANNINA 38919 45444 Ioannina 13. 102, 25TH MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF 23510-20020, Martiou Str., KATERINI 29655 Postal Code
60100 Katerini 14. 20, Nikotsara MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF 24210-36811, Str., Postal Code VOLOS 32431, 31551 38222 Volos 15. 119, Dimokratias MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF 2410-611002- Str., Neapoli LARISA 3 Postal Code 41334 Larisa 16. 29A Tsirigoti Str., MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF 22210 75991-3 Postal Code 341 HALKIDA 00 Halkida 17. MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF 8, Epidavrou 2610-439569 PATRA Str.,Agia - Patra 18. 2, Tsakopoulou MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF 2710-232048 Str., Psotal Code TRIPOLI 22100 Tripoli 19. 25, Krokida Str., MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF 28210- 51364 Postal Code CHANIA 73100 Chania 20. MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF 2810-276441, 1, Spinalloga Str., HREKLION CRETE 224256 Heraklion 21. Grigoriou Afxentiou MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE OF 22730-80953, Square, Postal SAMOS 80060 Code 83100 Samos
5.2 Handicap
The term handicap is referred to the limitation of common speech activity, work activity, or direct understanding due to a person’s physical or mental damage and is distinguished between physical and mental handicap which may be total or partial, permanent or temporal, changing, stable or degenerative. Often people believe that handicapped persons are persons that use wheelchairs or are blind or deaf or have mental retardation. The actual meaning of handicap includes too many people who have an illness which although isn’t obvious, makes the persons incapable to act normally.
Lately in our country, handicapped people who want to be certified and provided with a handicap percentage rate, contact the special Handicap Verification Centres (KEPA), which belong to the Directorate of Handicap and occupational Medicine of IKA administration. The Handicap Verification Centres, are responsible for a uniform decision concerning the specification of handicap percentage rate of the insured of all insurance organizations, for which the handicap verification is required.
For more information you can contact the Handicap Verification Centres all over Greece.
5.3 Aliens
When the release day is approaching , the competent court may order the alien’s deportation who was imprisoned, if it judges that the alien’s stay in the country isn’t compatible with the terms of social coexistence, considering especially the kind of crime for which he was convicted, the rate of the lien’s liability, the particular conditions of the action, its effects, the alien’s residence time in Greece, the legality or non legality of it, the behavior on the whole, the profession, the family existence and generally the extent of his integration in Greek society. If the alien was underage when he committed the crime, it is taken into account for the deportation if his family lives legally in the country or in case his family lives abroad, the existing danger for his life, physical integrity or personal or natal freedom. Concerning the judicial deportation, it is performed immediately after the penalty service or the release from prison. The same applies when the deportation was imposed by the court as additional penalty.
Basic information for international protection applicants in Greece
The applicant for international protection is an alien or a person with no nationality, who states orally or written to any Greek authority that seeks asylum or asks for non-deportation because is afraid of prosecution due race, religion, participation into a particular social group or political beliefs, or because is in danger of suffering a serious damage in the country of origin or his previous country of residence, particularly because he is threatened with death penalty or execution, with tortures or cruel or humiliating treatment or his life is threatened or his integrity due to an international or a civil conflict. Applicant for international protection is also considered to be an alien, who is transferred to Greece from a country which enforces the “Dublin” regulation.
ALIENS N Name Telephone Address Webpage 1. DIRECTORATE OF ALIENS OF 210 3420192 24, P. Ralli Str., Postal ATTICA Code 177 78, Tavros 2. DIRECTORATE OF ALIENS OF 2310 326, Monastiriou THESSALONIKI 388186, Str., Postal Code 541 2310 388187 21, Thessaloniki, Refuge Department 3. SUB-DIRECTORATE OF 28210 23, Heraklion CHANIA SECURITY 25805, Avenue, Chania 731 28210 25809 34, Aliens Office 4. SUB-DIRECTORATE OF 2810 274740 1, Agiou Artemiou
HERAKLION SECURITY Str., Nea alikarnassos, Postal Code 71601, Heraklion, Aliens Office 5. NETWORK FOR SOCIAL 68, Dinokratous str., SUPPORT OF REFUGEES AND Athens IMMIGRANTS 6. The Greek Ombudsman : 210 7292129 5, Hatzigianni Mexi Ombudsman for the Str., Athens immigrant, the refugee & the expatriate
Participating penitentiaries
NR PENITENTIARY COUNTRY
1. Cyprus Central Prisons CYPRUS
2. Penitenciarul Timisoara — PTM ROMANIA
Centrul de Reeducare Buzias — ROMANIA 3. CRB
4. Agricultural Penitentiary of Aghia GREECE
5. Penitentiary of Chania GREECE
SopronkőhidaiFegyházésBörtön
6. (Prison and Penitentary of HUNGARY Sopronkőhida) — SFB
7. Kraków-Podgórze POLAND
8. Corradino Correctional Facility MALTA