One of the members of the parole board failed to attend a single meeting over the last two years, according to data tabled in Parliament.

The parole board met 16 times in 2015 and 11 times in 2016, but board member Alex Sciberras had a 0% attendance rate in both years. Alex Sciberras is the son of retired judge Philip Sciberras. The former Msida mayor is also a director on the Air Malta board.

The information comes from the reports of the parole board, which were tabled in Parliament by Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia at the request of PN MP Carm Mifsud Bonnici.

Responding to questions sent by this newsroom, Sciberras confirmed that he has not been in attendance to the parole board. “I have in fact requested removal as a member of the board, which may have not been actioned formally. It is my understanding that my non-attendance has not impaired the functioning of the board.” The reason for his non-attendance was “principally due to time constraints.”

He did not remember the exact date he requested his own removal, but said it was towards the end of 2014, beginning 2015.

Regarding pay, he said “remuneration was of €3,000 annually as standard pay for government boards, however I received part thereof proportionate to the time I served as I did not serve a full year. From beginning 2015 onwards I was never remunerated, possibly even from before that.”

The board is headed by judge emeritus Franco Depasquale.

Its members are: Kevin Sammut, Anna Vella, Charles Cassar, Miriam Sevasta, Philip Galea Farrugia, Anna Grech, Joseph St John, Alex Sciberras. Kevin Borg is board secretary.

The board was appointed by the Prime Minister in August 2013 for a period of five years.

The tabled reports show that the board met seven times in 2013 and all members had a 100% attendance rate.

16 meetings were held the following year. Members Alex Sciberras and Anna Grech had an attendance rate of 19%.

The following year there were 16 meetings of the board. Sciberras is listed as having had zero attendance. The member with the second lowest attendance was Joseph St John, with 19%.

Eleven meetings were held in 2016, with Sciberras is again listed as having failing to attend a single meeting. Joseph St John attended 9% of meetings.  Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar, who is not mentioned in the reports for the previous years, attended 9% of meetings.

The board meets at the Corradino prison. Government board members are usually paid according to attendance.

In the meantime the data also shows how many parole licences were granted by the board.

In 2013 the board discussed fourteen cases, issued four licences and rejected 10 cases.

In 2014 it discussed 78 cases, approved 22 (28%) and rejected 56 (72%). Among those granted parole, an inmate refused to be released on parole.

The following year the board discussed 79 cases, granted parole in 24 cases (30%) and rejected 55 (70%). One parolee had his license revoked.

In 2016 the board discussed 71 cases, granted parole to 23 of inmates (32%) and denied parole to 48 (68%). Three parolees had their license revoked.