Dutch inmate claims inhumane conditions

Dutch prison inmate Perry Toornstra, 32, was yesterday charged with violently resisting four warders soon after attempting to escape from prison.

Mr Toornstra, through his defence lawyer Joe Brincat, claimed he is currently being kept in Division Six at the Corradino Correctional Facility in "degrading and inhumane conditions".

Before Magistrate Michael Mallia, he pleaded not guilty to violently resisting and threatening prison warders Francis Debono, Francis Meli, Daniel Cuschieri and George Falzon on August 9.

Mr Toornstra also denied escaping custody, breaching public order and slightly injuring two of the prison officers.

Dr Brincat told the court that his client was being held in inhumane and degrading conditions in Division Six of the Civil Prisons, without even having a fan.

It was significant, Dr Brincat observed, that when a European expert group inspected the prisons, Division Six was kept empty, but once they left, it was reinstated.

The court sent a recommendation to the Director of Prisoners to ensure that prisoners are not treated inhumanely and put through undue hardship.

The four prison warders were last week charged with beating the Dutch inmate who is serving time for importing around 4,000 ecstasy pills in 2000.

Police Inspector Alexander Grech prosecuted.