Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri has ordered the prison monitoring board to launch an investigation into claims that a former inmate was strapped to the ‘punishment chair’ or eight hours.

The unnamed former prisoner told Peppi Azzopardi that he had been humiliated by prison director Alex Dalli. He said he had been strapped to the chair for hours and was refused water.

This is the latest in a serious of damning allegations against the prison administration.

Recently, Camilleri appointed an internal review of prison operations after the death of two inmates who attempted suicide. Thirteen people have died at the prison over the past three years.

In comments to this newsroom, a spokersperson for Minister Camilleri said that, “upon being made aware of these claims, Minister Camilleri requested the Chairperson of the Corradino Correctional Facility Monitoring Board to investigate these allegations immediately.”

The spokesperson added that, “during their time in prison and even upon his release, the individual has every right and opportunity to report any cases of alleged wrongdoing to the Corradino Correctional Facility Monitoring Board which is an independent board tasked with investigating such claims.”

In comments to Times of Malta, the correctional services agency denied the former inmate’s claims and said it is ready to “testify before any investigating body to present the appropriate evidence."