The Government has signed a new transitional agreement with two NGOs - SOS Malta and the Fondazzjoni Mid-Dlam Għad-Dawl - aimed at helping reintegrate prisoners nearing the end of their sentence back into society.

These organizations will jointly run a pilot project focused on the effective reintegration of prisoners who are nearing the end of their sentence.

 The agreement was signed on Tuesday morning in the presence of the Minister for Social Policy and Children's Rights, Michael Falzon, who spoke about the Government's commitment to strengthen services and coordination with civil society.

"Today we are looking at an agreement that will ensure the provision of a service starting from within the Corradino Correctional Facility and continuing after the individual completes their sentence. Here we are aiming to rebuild the individual before they return to society," Minister Michael Falzon said.

This pilot project, called OARS, will cover all necessary preparations related to human resources, staff, and training. Once the structure is in place, the project will begin to be implemented on a permanent basis.

Graziella Schiavone, Head of Finance at SOS Malta, and Charlene Calleja, Director of the Fondazzjoni Mid-Dlam Għad-Dawl, described this innovative project as one that will provide greater psychosocial support, as well as both individual and family therapy. Moreover, it will turn vulnerability into opportunity and isolation into integration, they said. The project will also help individuals prepare to return to the workforce and assist with planning for permanent housing, a government statement read.