We cannot look at the different segments in isolation – it is all connected and once there is a weak link the whole system risks caving-in.

• We need a prison edifice that can physically accommodate the number of inmates there are. Trying to squeeze over 800 people in a place designed for much less is hazardous, unsafe and dangerous. The size of the cells, the hygiene facilities, the recreation space will crash if we keep piling people like sardines. We need to put money into the infrastructure of our prison. Assuming the population of the prison in Corradino is going to remain the same, or worse off keep growing, we risk a calamity; a pandemic outbreak or a riot, to name a few.

• We need to develop a communal consciousness. There surely are other ways to deal with impish behavior rather than simply sending people to prison, which is probably the easiest thing to do as it appeases the publics’ crusade for vendetta.

• We need to reflect on how our prison population is growing. It is incredible, but an estimated half of the penitentiary population is made up of people waiting for their case to be heard or else are still pending sentencing. Now I can understand that some need to be kept in custody for security reasons but that we have 400 people or so with such a status in our over-crowded prison is bizarre.

• We need to commission a thorough investigation on the possibility of people sitting in a cell, as we speak, because of miscarriage of justice. I recommend that we set up a team of magistrates to probe such assertions.

• We need to invest in community policing and active police stations that will most certainly underwrite a drop in people experiencing a fender-bender with the justice system.

• We need more inmates on the streets. Having less than 100 inmates involved in work is not anywhere close to good enough. We know that work will put one’s mind off being mischievous and at the same time can offer some source of income and help with integration back into the community. It’s a winwin. The law needs to be amended to oblige Authorities and government departments to employ not less than 10% who are either inmates or have been released from prison these last 2 years. This arrangement should apply to NGOs as part of their financial agreement with government. I believe that we should have a system of employment that targets at least 250 inmates to work in open employment at one given time.

• We need transition services for people who are about to complete their Sentence. The work that the NGOs working in this sector are doing is impeccable but nowhere close to enough. The idea of providing changeover services through charity models is not adequate. If we want people reintegrated, we need a proper conversion programme.

• We need more education. The prison authorities need to be given more resources to be able to allow inmates to further their education. Depending on EU projects is not sufficient. The State really needs to dip its hand in its coffers and fund initiatives in conjunction with the Education authorities, the University of Malta and other post-secondary and higher secondary institutions.

• We need to have a system of electronic tagging in place, up and running. It seems to have been on the agenda of the Government for way too long. This is a fantastic way of bringing down the numbers and easing the pressure from the system.

• We need more professionals. A Care and Reintegration Unit of around 20 persons is nowhere near close to what is required when there are over 800 people incarcerated who are in dire need of therapy, rehabilitation, treatment and healing. More resources need to be dedicated to this Unit. To give you an idea, a typical social worker in Malta would usually have a load of not less than 50 active cases. If you had to look at the needs of prisoners we are talking of needing at least 20 social workers to work with people in prison and after they are released, 5 youth workers to follow up the young people at YOURS, 20 therapists (psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists and family therapists), 20 case workers and a team of 5 social care managers. I would guestimate that the required team of professionals we need to be talking about is of not less than 70 social wellbeing specialized staff. This would really start giving us results.

• We need to address the lack of resources that Judges and Magistrates have to contend with. It is incredible.They don’t have enough options when it comes to offenders and that is why very often they end up having to send people to prison. A neverending case load, no experts to consult with, not enough administrative support systems to be able to operate efficiently and hardly any researchers. The Courts are in such total chaos it takes cleverness to have that mayhem! I went to accompany a friend to Court some days ago. Addio confidentiality, people running after each other and speaking as if it is public knowledge about what they are going through, individuals walking in and out of the Court Room as if they were at Bonaci ordering pastizzi – total chaos – verging on the comical. It’s rich for the Court to tell the University to improve our courses (which might be needed, mind you) when it has it’s house in complete disorder. I’m so keen to see at least one Minister grasping by the scruff of its neck this Institution and making an attempt to sort this senselessness.

• The parole law needs a rethink. I don’t believe it is serving its purpose well-enough.

• Our ‘ kondotta’ and ‘ fedina penali’ need to be flushed out. Why should people carry the weight of a mistake they did (and assuming they have reformed adequately) and remain blocked out of society?

• We need more investment in the police drug squad. I really think we are purposely not taking this problem seriously and conveniently focusing mostly on the small ‘fish’. When we know that the prison inmates are in their great majority there because of drug related crimes should mean something to someone. We are failing big time (Minister for the Home Affairs please note). We are not doing enough not even by a stretch of the imagination to curb the drug problem in Malta. It is as easy as pie to procure drugs – everyone says so, and yet here we are!

• We need more drug treatment programmes in Prison. 20, 30 at a go is not even close to what is required. We need a major investment and the three drug agencies in Malta need to stop focusing on each other and throw their energy on their core business. The government should dedicate millions of euros to the drug rehabilitation programme at the prisons if we really want to see a difference.

• We need better trained and competent prosecutors in our Courts of Justice. Heard some stories that would make your head spin.

• We need a criminal justice system national conference that will bring all parties; victims, academia, professionals, ex-perpetrators, judiciary, police, prison staff and so on sitting around a table – we need to go the whole hog, without simply defensively guarding our patch.