Solitary confinement should only be applied by court order, the inquiry into the operation of the Corradino Correctional Facility has recommended.

“This is why the Prison regulations should be updated as needed.”

During a press conference presenting the report, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri persisted on the notion that during the years, the prison has seen valued progress through Dalli’s decisions, and that these decisions cannot be disregarded.

But what could be seen as a damning assessment on Dalli’s former leadership, the board highlighted the need for a change in attitude, that moves more towards a balance between control, security and care. Dalli was often criticised for being too authoritarian.

The board, through its report, issued many recommendations.

The board also said that the training of all correctional officers “and not exclusively of new recruits must be continuous and extensive. This should not only focus on security and on providing first aid, but training reflecting the different psycho-social aspects of prisoners should be introduced.” This, the board said, should ensure that correctional officers would be more conscious about the prisoner’s social situation and their holistic needs.

Another issue underlined by the board is that women have fewer opportunities than men. “This needs to be addressed.”

The board also said that difficulties and divergences tied to racial and ethnic discrimination need to be eradicated, “more so when the prison population is predominantly made up of foreign individuals.”

As regards the prison leadership, the board said that legislative measures through which there is scrutiny on the leadership of the prison must increase. "This should include the strengthening of the existing Monitoring Board, and that its recommendations be imposed by law and that they be implemented without further investigation by the prison administration.

The board also calls for the introduction of legislative changes so that the framework on which the leadership and organisation of the prison is based reflects an independent, impartial and transparent system of adequate checks and balances, that gives life to the natural principle of justice and fundamental human rights.