A number of measures that meet most of the demands made by protesting prison inmates were announced by Justice Minister Sotiris Hatzigakis on Friday.
The minister said these measures would be carried out by sending out specific circulars, through administrative initiatives or by legislation added to a draft law that would soon go through Parliament.
"A total of 14 out of the 16 demands put forth by the striking inmates will be met either partly or in full," the Justice Ministry announced.
Thousands of inmates on Friday were still participating in an ongoing hunger strike which launched on November 3rd in 21 prisons across the country to demand improved conditions in Greek jails.
Among the demands of the prisoners is a reduction in the length of disciplinary penalties from one year to six months, with six-month penalties abolished entirely.
As regards bi-monthly inmate furloughs, these will be increased by one day. Also, the length of time that authorities can remand a suspect in custody pending trial will be reduced from 18 to 12 months, while inmate hospitals and other justice ministry institutions will be incorporated into the National Health System.
Local media reported that Greece's prisons are among the most overcrowded in Europe with 10,983 inmates crammed into jails designed to hold 7,543.
Source:Xinhua
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