125 inmates of the Kordin Correctional Facility are taking part in inhouse educational courses in a number of subjects, including languages, IT, and even law, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said today. Some of the courses can even lead to an O' level.

Mr Abela was speaking during an award ceremony for 13 inmates who have just completed a six-month Behavioural and Skills Management course organized in collaboration with NGO Mid-dlam ghad-dawl.

The educational services centre at Kordin, he said, is helping inmates through education, sport and work training. The prison library has some 6,000 books, which are soon to be topped up books in Arabic. Inmates can produce curtains, souvenirs and soft furnishings at the workshop. 10% of the proceeds go into a victim fund and 20% are deposited into a savings account that the inmates can draw money from once their term is up.

9 inmates are currently benefitting from study leave to attend courses, including on engineering, business studies and and courses at the MCAST's maritime institute. 32 others are doing some form of community work, including with NGOs and religious organisations.

Mr Abela urged all members of society to give former inmates a second chance. Business owners should not refuse to employ former inmates, he said. While a prison sentence would take away someone's liberty it should never take away their dignity.

The minister described the help of NGO's like 'Mid-dlam ghad-dawl' as indispensable.

Acting Prison Director Ray Zammit and 'Mid-dlam ghad-dawl coordinator George Busuttil praised the inmates who participated in the programme and told them not to forget the lessons learnt. 

Photos: Jonathan Borg