On the occasion of the recent escape of a suspect from the Athalassa Hospital, the State Health Services Organization (OKYPY) clarifies that the role of the Directorate of Mental Health Services is exclusively therapeutic, not punitive. The Athalassa Hospital is an inpatient facility for those deemed to be in need of this service, and its staff may under no circumstances undertake the duties of guarding prisoners.
The role of doctors, nurses and the rest of the Hospital's staff Athalassas is to offer high-quality mental health services to its patients.
In the protocol drawn up in 2016 – and concerning the specific cases – there are references to the assessment of the risk of the individual in terms of whether he exhibits aggressive behavior towards others persons but not in terms of his ability or intention to escape.
Based on the above, OKYpY underlines that the responsibility of preventing any escape of undertrials or convicts hospitalized at the Athalassa Hospital does not fall under the competence of the Directorate of Mental Health Services.
