Alternattiva Demokratika – the Green Party (AD) welcomes efforts towards introducing parole in Malta.

Dr Harry Vassallo, chairperson for AD said that “no matter how good a reform is, it is a fact that criminality can never be eradicated. However this does not mean that we should not find ethical and more effective alternatives such as parole. Other attempts for improvement, such as probation, and the Substance Abuse Therapeutic Unit within prison, are already being fruitful.”

He added that “it is a positive sign that members of parliament from different parties are working together on such an issue for a better society even though it will bear them no particular partisan political gains”.

Robert Callus, AD spokesperson for social affairs stated that “research shows that under the present system, prison fails to rehabilitate criminals.”

Mr Callus added that “with the possibility of parole, prisoners have an incentive to change their way of life and pose a lesser threat to society, as well as benefiting from a better lifestyle themselves.”