Investigation points to corruption in jails

An internal investigation by the Citizens' Protection Ministry has revealed serious cases of corruption and mismanagement by senior officials at Greek penitentiaries, Kathimerini has learned.

The probe by the ministry's general secretary for anti-crime policy, Sofia Nikolaou, brought to light cases of prison employees who continue to hold top posts despite facing charges, or convictions, for serious disciplinary and criminal offenses.

One example relates to the warden of a penitentiary in northern Greece who is being investigated for breach of duty and an employee at the same jail who continues to work there despite having received a seven-year suspended sentence in 2017 for attempting to smuggle cocaine into the prison.
Although he was initially suspended, and disciplinary action launched against him, he has since returned to work. Nikolaou's appeal to the...