The report compiled by an inquiry that looked into the workings of the prison were published yesterday and the home minister acted as if the findings were some form of vindication.

But the most important conclusion of them all was that Colonel Alex Dalli, whose military-style rule of the prison sparked the inquiry, will not be reinstated.

This proves that something was wrong with the prison leadership.

During yesterday’s press conference, Camilleri highlighted several important reforms – as recommended by the inquiry board - that will be or have already started to be implemented.

These include the establishment of a commissioner for prisoners, a sort of Ombudsman who will be tasked with the promotion and safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of the prisoners

Another proposal that has been accepted and is already being implemented is the construction of a rehabilitation centre inside the Corradino complex. The building will have five wings, each specialising on a different form of rehab, such as drug use.

Family visits will be moved outside the prispon walls, sparing inmates’ children the trauma of entering the complex.

Camilleri also announced that there will be better training and qualification opportunities for inmates, and that prisoners will now be released during the day upon completion of their sentence, rather than during the night.

Other recommendations were not mentioned by the minister, including the proposal that solitary confinement should only be applied if ordered by the courts.

Yet another proposal that the minister did not mention was that there should be a change in legislation so that the prison leadership reflects a transparent, impartial and independent system of checks and balances that respects the natural principles of justice and human rights. This is hardly glowing praise for Dalli’s methods.

Yet during the press conference, the minister continued to defend Dalli, saying that much of the improvement highlighted in the report was owed to Dalli’s leadership.

Camilleri boasted about the prison feeling “more secure”, as well as about cleanliness and order. The report “confirms that there is order in comparison to previous years,” he said.

But do you know what’s also different to previous years? The suicide rate.

A news report this week said that the suicide rate tripled under Dalli. That is definitely not something to boast about.

While refusing to say what the inquiry reported on Dalli’s leadership style, Camilleri confirmed that the former soldier won’t return as head of the Correctional Services Agency.

One cannot but wonder: If Dalli was so good at his job, why is he not coming back?

To the contrary, the minister’s decision to keep the Colonel away from Corradino can only confirm that he was found to be unfit for the job he was given three years ago.

And this in itself confirms what NGOs and the Opposition have been saying for years, and that the calls for Dalli’s resignation were more than justified.

While we must now look ahead and ensure that the proposed reforms are implemented and that the prison turns from a place of terror into a place of rehabilitation, the government must also acknowledge that mistakes were made.

No, the inquiry report is not a badge of honour for the minister and the CSA.

To the contrary, it proves that change was needed.