Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said that he does not have a problem with publishing the results of magisterial inquiries into prisoners’ deaths when asked by this newsroom. 

There have been numerous deaths reported over the course of this year in the Corradino Correctional Facility (11 in total). The latest death was of a 25-year-old Pakistan man who was reported as having died from natural causes.  An autopsy later confirmed this. 

While being questioned by the media, Camilleri was asked if he is concerned about the number of deaths that are being reported this year. 

“Every death is a tragedy and my role as minister is to see what type of death it was so I always question if it was a natural or accidental death,” he said. 

He explained that he bases his opinions on the results of magisterial inquires that are opened following these deaths and results show that 75% of prison deaths were natural deaths. 

“One must also keep in mind that the prison’s population increased drastically over past years.” 

Asked by this newsroom if he would be willing to publish the results of these magisterial inquiries, Camilleri said he has no objection to it, but noted that it is the Attorney General who receives these inquiries, not the ministry. 

He explained that when he asked for a copy of these inquiries, his request was welcomed. He added that he hopes to see more magisterial inquiries being closed as each inquiry is on a human life. 

Asked to give an idea of how many inquiries are still open he said he does not have that kind of information at the moment. 

Additionally, Camilleri was asked if these magisterial inquiries should become independent inquiries so that they do not happen behind closed doors any longer or for an information channel specifying this information to be set up. 

He said that all magisterial inquiries are independent inquires – “God forbid we ever get to a point where magisterial inquiries are not considered as such” – and reiterated that he has no problem with publishing the results of closed inquiries. 

‘One has to stick with the facts’ 

Camilleri was also questioned about the Facility’s Director Alexander Dalli who has faced a lot of criticism because of the recurring deaths, his extreme disciplinary methods and clashes he has had with certain individuals such as the Chamber of Advocates after he interrupted Yorgen Fenech’s conversation with his lawyer in prison. 

With regards to latter, Camilleri said that he is informed that there was a court application on this matter and a decision was reached. When asked to specify what the decision was, Camilleri said that this was the court’s decision, and he has nothing to add to it. 

When asked by this newsroom if he is satisfied with the way the Director is running the Facility, considering the serious allegations that are being made against his extreme disciplinary measures in prison, Camilleri said that one has to stick with the facts. 

“The prison has undergone serious changes with regards to discipline over the past years. This was important as the free-for-all environment that existed before this was unacceptable; it is not right for a prison to be run by the inmates.” 

He said that he communicated with a number of NGOs who work with the prison and they have shared the same sentiment. “Is it perfect? No. But the situation has improved a lot through these changes.”