Most inmates who ended up in jail more than once believe that finding a job will help them stay out of trouble once they are released.

A proper rehabilitation programme, which would help them kick any addiction or destructive habit, was also listed by inmates as a possible solution, according to a survey carried out by Mid-Dlam Għad-Dawl Foundation.

The foundation, which supports prison inmates, interviewed about 85 people who had been in prison more than once.

The results were released during a conference last night, organised by the foundation to discuss recidivism. This is the legal term used when a convicted person is found guilty of another crime. It usually results in an increase in punishment.

Results showed that the vast majority of inmates had been jailed on drug-related charges and were between the ages of 26 and 35.

When asked to list solutions to recidivism, most inmates mentioned employment prospects followed by the need for rehabilitation programmes, psychological assistance, family and housing support and life skills education.

The results highlighted a lack of post-release support. "Lacking such support, prisoners are left to their own devices, which results in the committal of further crime and, unfortunately... even death due to drug overdose after immediate release," according to the report.

Recalling the experience of leaving prison, a 29-year-old former inmate said: "The first thing that struck me when I walked outside, when I was on the threshold of prison, was that I was completely alone. I felt as though I was a stray cat. As though I was entering a new world I had not been part of for five years."

He was quoted in the presentation delivered by Marilyn Clark, a University lecturer in youth and community studies, during the conference.

Dr Clark explained that most inmates were given a short prison sentence, which highlighted the need to have an efficient re-entry mechanism. On leaving, inmates faced various psychological and social issues such as substance abuse, self-esteem problems, lack of education and reduced chances of employment and of obtaining adequate housing.

Foundation director Charles Cassar listed several recommendations that could address recidivism and help ensure that, once released, inmates remained out of jail.

Recidivism had to be addressed holistically, he said. This meant that a reintegration plan had to be tailored to suit the needs of the individual while taking into account the society he would then be exposed to. Such a reintegration plan should be initiated the day the inmate stepped into jail through personalised assessment.

While serving time, inmates should be assisted to address addiction or character flaws through anger management classes, for example. Inmates should also be provided with basic education or skills according to their personal inclinations together with job interview experience and lessons in financial planning.

Services should then be extended to follow up the person once the person left jail.

Dr Cassar added that the law on recidivism should also be amended. As things stood, in certain circumstances, a person found guilty of recidivism had to be given a jail term. This did not take into account any progress made by inmates who were jailed for a crime committed years earlier.

Desmond Zammit Marmarà, who served as the coordinator of the school at the Corradino Correctional Facility for 12 years, pointed out the need to train correctional officers themselves in social skills.

"Prisoners often complained about the way in which they were treated by some officers who did not support the education offered to inmates," said Mr Zammit Marmarà who left CCF last year.

He stressed the need for better coordination in prison as, at times, other activities clashed with the classes.

Thoughts of released prisoners*

• When I left prison I felt lost. The traffic drove me crazy. While thrilled to be out, I was scared. That cell had become my refuge.

• Whenever I get out of here (prison) I always end up taking drugs again... I have no future.

• One would expect that the day you are released from prison will be a big day. But it was one of the most traumatic days of my life.

• I lost all contact with my family. I went to visit my mother and brothers, the last time I was released, and they didn't let me in. My mother told me my father and I had given her enough trouble and she didn't want to have anything to do with me.

• When you're released you feel a bit confused until you get used to it. As you walk past some people you hear them say things like: "He's out again".

*Compiled by lecturer Marilyn Clark

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