If it is true what Dostoevsky says, that “if one wants to know a country, one has to know its prisons”, then many do not know their country.

Though the prisons are mentioned quite frequently, very few know what they are really all about. The prisons are a complex reality that sentiment or emotion alone cannot unravel.

Moreover, the prisons do not exist in a vacuum, and their existence is closely connected and related to other institutions, namely the legislative body, the courts, and the police. On the other hand, internally the prisons are another universe.

Having said this, it might interest some of your readers to know that shortly a six-week course, exploring the ins and outs of Malta’s prisons, will be offered.

The course, which will be in Maltese, is unique in its genre. It will run from 4 February every Monday and Thursday between 6 and 8pm at the Press Office, Archbishop’s Curia, Lion Street, Floriana.

Those interested may sign up on 9946-3324 or geol@blue

bottle.com. A nominal fee is charged for notes and books. Places are limited.

George Busuttil Secretary,

Mid-Dlam Ghad-Dawl

Cospicua