71 prisoners allowed to work, study, outside the prisons

Seventy-one prison inmates have, since 2007, been allowed to work or follow courses outside the prisons, Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici said in Parliament.

He said that 38 had been given a permit to work outside the prisons. 13 permits were issued in 2007, 15 in 2008, nine last year and one this year up to March.

33 permits were issued for prisoners to follow courses outside the prisons - six in 2007, five in 2008, 16 last year and six this year.

There is a total of 583 prisoners - 541 men and 42 women.