Ministry stands by appointments to prisons investigation board

The Home Affairs Ministry this afternoon stood by its decision to appoint former prisons head Manwel Cassar to head an independent board to investigate alleged shortcomings at the prisons.

It also urged the press not to reach ‘premature conclusions’ which could prejudice the activities of the board.

Referring to reports in some newspapers today, the ministry said the purpose of the board was not only to investigate the alleged shortcomings, but also to recommend what corrective measures or drastic changes were needed at the prisons, especially in view of the imminent publication of a white paper on ‘restorative justice’.

The choice of Mr Cassar was logical in view of his experience and his familiarity with prison procedure – saving the board the time it would have needed to learn about such practices.

Furthermore, board members Martin Scicluna and Mary-Ann Agius had been selected in view of their vast experience in security matters.

The ministry reiterated its ‘absolute confidence’ in the objectivity of the board and urged the press not to reach premature conclusions which could prejudice the proceedings of the board.