Four former prison warders who had been sentenced for five years for beating a Dutch inmate but later had their sentences reduced on appeal have been reinstated in the prison service, this newspaper has learnt.
The Home Affairs Ministry has informed this newspaper that the four officers have been given “other duties” at the Corradino Correctional Facility (CCF) but has not revealed what their new roles are.
The four men had been convicted by a court in 2013 of beating Perry Ingomar Toornstra, a prisoner who is currently serving a 15-year sentence for drug smuggling, five years earlier, in 2008.
The Dutchman had escaped from custody and claimed he had been beaten by the four warders after he was recaptured. He suffered a broken rib and a broken arm and had a boot mark on his back.
In 2010 the Dutchman was charged with attacking the prison warders, but was acquitted after the presiding magistrate held that the warders’ version of events was not credible.
Francis Debono, 45, of Safi, Francis Meli, 43, of Birzebbuġa, Daniel Cuschieri, 31, of Paola and George Falzon, 32, of Qormi filed an appeal and a court, presided by Mr Justice Antonio Mizzi overturned the original judgement, turning it into a six-month sentence, suspended for two years.
The court had said that a forensic pathologist had gone beyond his remit when he testified that the injuries sustained by Toornstra had been compatible with a beating. It also said there was not enough evidence to show that the inmate was wantonly beaten and the injuries were a result of his violent resistance to arrest. The wardens were cleared of causing grievous injuries to the Dutchman and were only found guilty of causing him slight injuries.
A spokesperson for the Home Affairs Ministry said that, following the successful appeal, the four workers had their suspensions lifted and were re-engaged at the Corradino Correctional Facility (CCF).
“Following the Appeals Court decision of a suspended sentence, the Public Service Commission lifted their temporary suspension from work. However, the half-salary withheld during their suspension was forfeited.”
The spokesperson said the four officials “were given a warning of dismissal that will remain valid for an indefinite period”.
The ministry added that the four men were given “other duties within CCF” but did not reply to additional questions about their new roles. It is not clear whether the men now come in contact with the prison inmates.