Closed Controlled Access Centers of Islands (C.C.A.C.I.)
The Closed Controlled Access Centers of Islands (C.C.A.C.I.) were created with the aim of providing protection and safe accommodation to third country nationals that enter Greece without the legal requirements. They are regional operation units of the Reception and Identification Service. C.C.A.C.I. may also include a Reception and Identification Center, a temporary accommodation facility, as well as special accommodation facilities with all the necessary provisions for vulnerable individuals. Unaccompanied minors are hosted in separate areas that operate as “safe zones.” There are also provisions for the operation of Pre-removal Detention Centers within separate areas of C.C.A.C.I. which are directed by the Greek Police.
C.C.A.C.I are supported by the Special Units of the Reception and Identification Centers that operate within them, and include: a) an Administrative Unit, b) an Identification and Verification of Nationality Unit, c) a Medical Screening and Psychosocial Support Unit, d) an Information Provision Unit, and e) an External Security and Safety Unit.
The Governor of the Reception and Identification Center oversees all the Special Units and directs the C.C.A.C.I.
C.C.A.C.I. offer accommodation and material support to third country nations who: a) express their will to submit an application for international protection within the territory of Greece, b) family members of international protection applicants, if they are covered in the context of this application according to Greek law c) minors (including unaccompanied minors), as well as separated minors, irrespective of whether they have submitted an international protection application d) individuals who are participants in voluntary return programs e) individuals who are in the process of return and whose deportation has been postponed f) beneficiaries of international protection for the time period they are permitted to stay in C.C.A.C.I. (according to paragraph 1 of article 114 of law 4636/2019 and the regulations of operation of the Reception and identification Centers).
Third country nationals undergo reception and identification procedures in the Reception and Identification Center within the C.C.A.C.I. When the above procedures are complete and during their stay in the C.C.A.C.I., they have the right of freedom of movement (according to article 45 of law 4636/2019, taking into account article 46 of law 4636/2019); they may freely move in specified areas to enable the smooth operation of C.C.A.C.I.
Residents have the right to enter and exit C.C.A.C.I. and according to the schedule of operation of C.C.A.C.I which is set by the Governor of RIS.
Electronic cards are used to enter and exit the C.C.A.C.I. Residents are required to follow the schedule of operation when they exit the facilities and are not allowed to spend the night outside the facilities. If a resident is not found within the facilities during regular audits and according to the schedule of operation, for two times consecutively, their material and accommodation benefits may be ceased, according to article 57 of law 4636/2019.
Reception and Identification Centers (RIC)
Third-country and stateless individuals who enter the country illegally are placed in Reception and Identification Centers (R.I.C.) where they temporarily reside until they undergo procedures of reception and identification and to submit application for international protection (asylum).
Third-country and stateless individuals who live in R.I.C. are in a regime of restriction of their freedom within the Centers for a maximum period of twenty-five (25) days.
In R.I.C. there are conditions in place to ensure that residents are protected physically, legally and emotionally.
There are five (5) Units in each R.I.C.:
- Administrative Unit
- Identification and Verification of Nationality Unit
- Medical Screening and Psychosocial Support Unit
- Information Provision Unit
- External Security and Safety Unit
When the procedures of reception and identification are complete, third-country entrants are transported from R.I.C. to Facilities in the mainland. Afterwards, they are referred to Regional Asylum Offices-if they have expressed interest to submit an application for international protection, or their deportation/return is initiated.