Behind heavy iron gates, and after two physical checks—one for sharp objects and the other for pre-marked ballots—the two polling stations men Prisons of Korydallos. Everyone who comes here is consistent.

They are brought in groups of five people, and with a kind of almost continuous flow, so that prisoners from different departments do not intersect in the waiting room. From time to time, the prosecutor, appointed by the court representative, is called by the party to the screens to assist. There are quite a few who cannot read and they need someone to read their ballots.

“Everyone wants to vote, it keeps them alive, connected to things. They feel like no one else is making decisions for them.” Prosecutor K says. who oversees the process in one of the departments. “They feel like their future will be decided.”

In the two polling stations of Korydallos Prisons, 499 and 500, 391 out of a total of approximately 1,800 prisoners registered to vote. In recent weeks, applications have been submitted from prisoners to vote, which have been reviewed to determine if they were disenfranchised and registered at polling stations outside the prison. Over the past few days, the lists have been checked again for updates to see if anyone has since been released or transferred to another prison.

“They feel that with their participation they are members of society,” says the Korydallos secretariat. “It’s also important for their reintegration.” “K” watched the voting on Election Day in prison.

Ballot boxes were installed in two adjacent classrooms on the prison’s educational property. Everything is ready from 7 am, but attendance starts at two hours as scheduled, so that the prisoners have breakfast first. Everyone holds a piece of paper with their photo, details, ward and cell phone in their hands.

Of the 1,800 prisoners, 391 voters were registered. SYRIZA won 88.89% (in one polling station). 4.23% received “New Democracy” (in the same constituency).

Prisoners wear white surgical masks, which they remove so they can be identified. Most wear overalls and sneakers, some go in flip flops. And in this microcosm there is no homogeneity. Someone seems to have new clothes, clean, and another voter is dragging winter slippers on his feet with worn soles. An older man balances with a cane, while another, 23, says he is voting for the first time in his life. Some have tattoos, someone wrote “bad boy” on their arm, someone chose a Kalashnikov assault rifle as a drawing. They are greeted with kindness, and they reciprocate.

The only hints are given by two prisoners who carry a frappe with them, one has a baguette in his pocket and the other in his jacket. They are asking to be left out until they vote so that they, too, understand that this is a serious moment.

“We don’t sign”

At some point, the prosecutor of one department asks for the attention of those waiting. “We don’t sign on the ballot, if you do, it will be invalid,” he tells them as many ask if they have to sign and where. “Everyone who needs help calls me,” he adds.

“Can you read?” the overseer asks one of the voters as soon as it is his turn. “No, I wasn’t at school,” she replies.

“Old Sorras? a prisoner can be heard muttering behind a screen as his gaze falls on the party ballot Greek Assembly. “I found my new profession,” he says after tossing the envelope into the ballot box. “I’ll get out of the truck and have a party.”

During one of the breaks in the meeting, while the voters of another precinct prepare, the prison guard asks if members of the election commission and judicial representatives would like to drink coffee from the local Apodrasi coffee shop, which he says he painted a helicopter with a winch on its napkins. “It’s closed,” his colleague informs him.

The final results held no surprises. As in 2019, everything was in his favor. SYRIZA, in contrast to the national average. The percentage collected by him exceeded 80%. It is significant that in one section SYRIZA received 88.89% of the votes, New Democracy 4.23% and then PASOK And Sailing freedom with lower rates. Of the 200 voters in that precinct, ten ballots were invalid and one was blank.

Numbers

391 voters a total of 1,800 prisoners were announced.

88.89% received SYRIZA (at the polling station).

4.23% received New Democracy (in the same district).