The Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin is worried by reports of prison warders having to work up to 80 hours a week due to a shortage of employees.

It said that, due to an increased workload, warders were fatigued both physically and mentally, to the detriment of their health and security. Action should be taken to improve working conditions so warders could fulfill their obligation to help those in prison to reform, the union added.

“Due to the pressure and tension a workplace such as Corradino Correctional Facility brings with it, any problems should be analysed and addressed without delay,” it said. The UĦM said that a sense of apathy was creeping into prison warders and this could be seen through the fact that over the past three months 700 days of sick leave had been taken by the 154 prison warders. There are just over 600 inmates in prison. The union urged the authorities to take swift and concrete action so that warders could have enough time off to rest and spend with their families.