A number of warders are complaining that certain inmates threatened and assaulted them some months ago but their reports were not followed up, sources close to the prison told The Malta Independent.
On his part, prison CEO Simon Buttigieg explained that as per established procedures, in cases where reports of breach of discipline are submitted by any officer to the prison authorities, disciplinary action is taken by the disciplinary board against inmates but reports made to the police cannot be dealt with by the board.
“The disciplinary board convenes on a regular basis and all pending reports are dealt with during the sitting of each particular division.
“All reports are dealt with by the disciplinary board except those cases where reports are submitted to the Police.
“In such instances, action cannot be taken by the prison authorities,” Mr Buttigieg said.
But sources are insisting that certain cases dealt with by the disciplinary board are the ones which are being delayed at times.
Sniffer dogs
This newsroom asked Mr Buttigieg whether he can confirm that the K9 system used to combat drugs at the prisons is not leaving its desired results and if it is true that the biggest drug find was discovered by prison officials.
Mr Buttigieg said thatthe K9 unit has been successful in a number of drug finds to date and the unit serves as an additional tool todisrupt potential supply routes.However it takes a concerted effort to keep drugs out of prison. In fact, the strategy involves K9 as well as all officers working at the prison.
Promotions at prisons
When asked to confirm whether the applications in relation to promotions for senior correctional officers, supervisors, assistant managers and managers are on hold and have been so for the last three years, Mr Buttigieg said that a restructuring process is currently underway within the department and all subsequent recruitments will be carried out as part of this process.
He said that in the past three years, an assistant manager and 64 correctional officers were employed as a result of recruitment processes.
Certain inmates allowed to work on the outside at times ‘abusing’
Sources who spoke to this newsroom claimed that some prisoners who are being allowed to work on the outside, particularly with local councils, at times attempt to smuggle drugs into prisons. This newsroom was also told that certain prisoners with drug-related problems are allowed to go out and work while others are not. Mr Buttigieg was askedto state whether this was the case.
“Procedures, according to the Prison Regulations and Directives, are in place to assess all inmates who apply for community work. Eligibility and suitability are assessed in each and every case, taking into account the stipulated criteria and information about the case.
“Should a person carrying out community work is found in breach of any condition, or whose behaviour is not satisfactory, his/her community work will be terminated and disciplinary action will be taken against him/her,” Mr Buttigieg said.
“The eligibility criteria as stipulated in the Prison Regulations and Directives are observed when issuing authorisation for an inmate to carry out community work. The aim of this type of work is to repair some of the harm done to society,” he continued.
But sources still insist that some inmates who were caught abusing hadn’t their community work terminated.
Suppliers of work for inmates given open access to CCF
This newsroom also asked Mr Buttigieg to confirm whether Mary Grace Pisani – the fashion designer – has been given open access to the prisons and is also allowed to enter with her car. Ms Pisani is one of the three suppliers of work for inmates. Inmates are taught curtain-making, among other things.
On this point, Mr Buttigieg said that access to CCF grounds has been given to all three suppliers of work for inmates, one of whom is Ms Pisani.
“Such work is regarded as a contribution in the rehabilitation of inmates. All vehicles and persons entering CCF are subject to normal security procedures,” he said.