'Normal' for prisoners to earn €900 a month
It was normal for prisoners at Corradino to earn up to €900 a month, warder Alison Sgendo told a court yesterday afternoon during the trial of a former inmate Josette Bickle, accused of trafficking drugs behind bars.
She said that some prisoners earned those amounts when they worked as supervisors as the inmates worked on jobs provided at the prison by Bank of Valletta and Playmobil.
Ms Bickle is accused of trafficking drugs inside prison between 2006 and 2008.
Ms Sgendo is responsible for managing the prisoners' work accounts.
She explained that some prisoners were paid both for their work and for acting as supervisors.
Questioned on a payment of €840 to the accused, Ms Sgendo said it was normal for some of the accused to receive that much - up to €900 - in a month.
Ms Sgendo denied claims by another witness, former inmate Pauline Pisani, that she and the then director of prisons had told Pisani to pay back Bickle amounts which allegedly were due from the days even before their prison terms. A transaction of €34 from Ms Pisani's account to that of the accused was a one off, she said.
Her contact with the prisoners, she said, was over the phone. They sometimes asked her to buy things for them from outside the prison, and she did so, in terms of regulations.
She said that Bickle had been 'naughty' and hard-headed' but that was the case for several other prisoners too.
Josette Bickle, who had been expected to give evidence in her defence, opted not to do so. The trial is expected to end late this evening.
See more evidence given yesterday at
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Joseph Ellul
Dec 15th 2011, 23:47
In Australia, inmates are given day leave to access jobs in the community. Some are driven and picked up at the place of work at a cost to the community. These outworkers pay tax and are charged a small fee by the authorities. Most of these day release inmates also have families and some of the money earned goes towards family support. It is good to give work to prison inmates.
Ms D. Borg
Dec 15th 2011, 12:59
Can BOV please explain what kind of work it gives to these inmates? It's good to know.
B Borg
Dec 15th 2011, 15:45
The issue of PIN Numbers!!!
Robert Sammut
Dec 15th 2011, 10:21
The message here is eloquently clear,crime really does pay but remember,to reap the benefits you must get caught & sent to Palazzo Cordin!!
Ramon Mangion
Dec 15th 2011, 12:24
Robert,
I go to sing every year at Cordin, and from my end, I would not want to remain there for a day, let alone years. I do not think that it is the sort of place that you are portraying
Jonathan Camilleri
Dec 15th 2011, 12:29
Good one, Mr. Sammut
Philip Pryce
Dec 14th 2011, 19:34
Unbelievable. This is more than many honest people earn working more than 40 hours a week. What is wrong with this country. Get a grip you moron ministers. Sort it!!!
Lina Ghirxi
Dec 14th 2011, 19:11
God forbid my son reads this!!! He's got a tough job, working in a freezer 40 hrs a week, and gets the minimum wage of €600 a month....He'd think it's better off if he was at Corradino Prison!!!!
Robert Pace Bonello
Dec 14th 2011, 16:43
Makes it sound like most pensioners would be better off financially staying at Corradino Resort with food, lodging and clothing taken care plus the financial rewards!
Seriously though it is a a frightening situation.
Danika Vella
Dec 14th 2011, 18:34
You forget that they actually work for the money.... it's not pocket money they receive (not the 900 EUR a month anyway).
Robert Pace Bonello
Dec 14th 2011, 16:39
Makes it sound like most pensioners would be better off financially staying at Corradino Resort with food, lodging and clothing taken care plus the financial rewards!
Seriously though it is a a frightening situation.
Joseph Calleja
Dec 14th 2011, 16:20
Dr Gonzi STOP THE BUCK RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW (caps intended)) and fire every individual involved in this scandal and of course start with the Minister, the Prison Warden and each and every individual that was involved in this embarrassment. First Air Malta, then the Arriva fiasco and now this, good going Dr Gonzi. And you really expect our vote? Malta definitely needs a change, a leadership change.
John Attard
Dec 15th 2011, 15:28
u insejt is soap opera tal-gas......issa meta nigu bla cilindru......imbad iqumu! fiasco wiehed wara l-iehor no pun intended!
C. Bezzina
Dec 14th 2011, 15:04
C.Bezzina
What an example we are giving to the young generation!
Michael Camileri
Dec 14th 2011, 13:48
EUR900 pay plus free rent eur400, free food eur200, free utilities eur80, free entertainment eur30
Technically they are getting paid EUR 1,600 per month tax free for being a criminal.
marco caruana
Dec 14th 2011, 13:19
that 900 euros thing is a total lie !! a normal HW who assemble playmobil figures at home earn approx 300 eu monthly ! its quite interesting wot kinda jobs bov offer to coradino
James Tyrrell
Dec 14th 2011, 13:14
With earnings of €900 a month in prison I'm surprised there is not more crime taking place!
Robert Agius
Dec 14th 2011, 13:08
Ah! so this is what they mean when they say 'ignorance is bliss'.
Robert Agius
Dec 14th 2011, 13:05
Wow, with what looks like a 10-15 year recession coming up, prison sure looks like a profitable option.
mark johnson
Dec 14th 2011, 12:14
It's worth committing a crime to get a cushy job like that.
But knowing my luck I will get on the waiting list.......... er sorry, a suspended sentence.
Joanna Bowerman
Dec 14th 2011, 11:45
So I guess this is where all my taxes are going to!! mhux hekk hux... and i work 8 to 5 job with A'levels and all and i earn 2/3 of this ridiculus amount.... judiciary system, kindly waky waky!! no wonder all these repeat offenders.. better being in this big 5 star hotel than out here in the big tough world!! they should be reflecting on their offences not paid for silly jobs and given free lodging and paid-for meal inside hard working people's taxes.... better think of committing something so we'll all go and have a break in there...
Well done John Bundy---- Pajjiz Tal-Mickey Mouse!!!!!
michael fenech
Dec 14th 2011, 11:37
Does the MINISTER OF JUSTICE have anything to say about all this? I can give him an idea, RESIGN.
F. Pisani
Dec 14th 2011, 11:33
the combined wage fo my perents, a Child carer and a skilled Carpenter dosent amount to this wage and is this fair?
Joseph E Briffa
Dec 14th 2011, 11:32
My understanding of the report is that prisoners who do work for BOV and Playmobil get that amount. If my understanding is correct, It follows that those that don't do this work don't make that kind of money. Again their income comes from Playmobil and BOV and not from the Exchequer. The matter of drugs is something else. As for comments about going to prison to earn money, it only shows that they don't mean what they say.
Mark. Galea
Dec 14th 2011, 11:28
Nispera li xi nies li qed jiktbu hawn taht imorru japplikaw biex imorru l-habs ...
G Zammit
Dec 14th 2011, 11:21
WOW... any positions vacant?
M Vella
Dec 14th 2011, 11:19
M Muscat naqbel mieghek fuq kollox minbarra li frankuni 5 star hotel. ghandi xi hadd jigi minni qieghed go mount carmel u nista nassigurak li mhuwiex 5 star hotel. toilet paper ma jipprovdux jew inkella mux f kull dipartiment, u min m ghandux familjari nistghu nghidu li jibqa bxejn. Perezempju min mandux toilet paper jigbor tissues uzati min god-dust bin biex jinqeda hu ukoll. Nuqqas ta igene kbira, u niskantaw li tohrog l iscebies. Tazzi tat te jew cafe, m hemmx al kulhadd, li jekk ma tilhaqx tibqa b xejn. Anka halib u mishun. Jekk persuni ohra jiehdu izjed milli sippost tista persuni ohra jibqghu bxejn ghax ma jgibux izjed.
Igifieri min ghandu din il mentalita, jekk jogobkom tridu taraw b ghajnejkom certu affarijiet!
M Muscat
Dec 14th 2011, 17:23
M Vella, meta qed nghid 5 star hotel qed nirreferi ghal habs li hemm mount carmel u mhux mount carmel kollu.
Charles Muscat
Dec 14th 2011, 11:14
Ahfrilom O'Sinjur ghax m jafux xínuma jaghmlu.
Anthony Caruana
Dec 14th 2011, 11:12
The ignorance of people is incredible.. of course if someone works he/she gets paid a wage for it, including paying back NI and income tax... what would be bad is companies paying less for prison work, that would make it lucrative to get cheap labour affecting 'normal' workers - work is and should be paid the same rate in and out of prison. Any talk about 'it is better to be in prison' is plain stupid.
JOSEPH VELLA
Dec 14th 2011, 11:05
Tajba din. Imbġħad jiġi xi Mark Montebello jiġġieled ġħad drittijiet tal-ħabsin
Michael Borg
Dec 14th 2011, 11:02
i wonder how much donations they gave yesterday to the political parties !!
they in much better postion then the average Cikku il poplu !!
M Muscat
Dec 14th 2011, 10:44
Mela jiena ghax marid kull ma niehu huwa €520 fix-xahar u irried naghjex Familja ta’ erba’ minnis u nhallas, il-
kera id-dawl u ilma, it-teleforn, medicina, mentinas tad-dar, licenzja u provajder ghat TV, hwejjeg, ikel u xorb u
mitt haga ohra.
Il-habsin allajbierek ma jhalsu XEJN u jiehdu €900 fix-xahar.
Sur Ministru Carm Mifsud Bonnici taf xinti taghmel, ghax ma tqumx qaghwma mir-raqda jew TIRREZENJA.
Fil-fehema tieghi kull prugunier ghand jahdem kulljum u jekk ma jkunx iried ma ntiehx jikoll u DAQSEKK.
Il-veru l-habs XALATA u l-forensika (frankuni) 5 star Hotel u halluna!!!
Edward Sammut Alessi
Dec 14th 2011, 11:14
I know students who work as waiters for 2-3 nights a week and earn that much. Time re-think your career choice.
F. Pisani
Dec 14th 2011, 11:37
Please Mr. Edward tell me were do these Student work couse i have worked as a Waiter and i one of the leading hotels around, and i used to work a lot more than 2-3 nights PER WEEK and my wage DIDN"T COME THAT CLOSE. SO PLEASE REFARE FOWARD.
M Muscat
Dec 14th 2011, 11:59
@Edward Sammut Alessi
€900/€3.50 an hour = 257 hours ????????????? Get your facts right before you post such comments
Edward Sammut Alessi
Dec 14th 2011, 12:49
What point are you trying to make? I know how long it takes to earn 900 euro at minimum wage.
I'll re-iterate for you since you clearly misunderstood.
Your job pays very low. If its worth complaining about then its worth doing something about it, go find another one.
Robert Agius
Dec 14th 2011, 13:01
Edward, which planet do you come from?
Eve Axiaq
Dec 14th 2011, 15:07
@Sammut Alessi: please tell me or give me a hint where do these students work? Its incredible!
Philip Pace
Dec 14th 2011, 10:30
Wow! That is something to earn assembling playmobil toys!
J Mizzi
Dec 14th 2011, 10:21
It's useless blogging here about this.
Create a Facebook page with a petition and try and get 10,000 votes - which will force the government to call for a referendum. I'm sure that given the opportunity you'd easily get an 80% (middle class worker) score to abolish something like this.
Social Media - end of - Tunisia, Egypt, Libya. In Malta we are supposed to be more civilized and hence the intention is to get the message through, not to ruin the country :)
Eve Axiaq
Dec 14th 2011, 10:17
Dawn x'affarjiet huma? Jaqbillek tghix il- habs mela. X'tip ta' kastig u korrezzjoni huma dawn meta waqt li qijad il- habs ghandek dritt ta:
paga tajba tax- xoghol u fl-istess hin lodging u ikel b'xejn
mobile
TV
sigaretti
dvds
xi allowances
jahdmu biex ikunu jistghu jixtru d- drogi
B'dawn il- kummiedji zgur li l- habs mhux qijad iservi ta' diterrent. Anzi l- habsin ghandhom jahdmu fil- komunita u bla hlas, u min ma joghgbux joqghod maqful fic- cella. Dawk huma vera kastigi.
Hemm bzonn ta' riforma bis- serjeta fil- habs.
David Galea
Dec 14th 2011, 10:37
Ta minn jinkonsidra li jaghmel reat u imbaghd joqghod jiekolha fuq dar il-poplu!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Manuel Scicluna
Dec 14th 2011, 10:09
Wow! 900 euros plus allowances such as free meals and lodging. This is incredible.....
Mario Farrugia
Dec 14th 2011, 10:02
I strongly believe that it was wrong to change our prison into a US style correctional facility where no one is gettingreformed but only pampered. It suffice to see how many of the 'corrected' prisoners going through this system end up being jailed again.... I want our jail back where justice is seen and felt being served. Society has a fundamental right to punish those within it who err against its common values. Our jail system has degenerated into a very expensive joke which is not serving its purpose. URGENT REFORM PLEASE!
john gittos
Dec 14th 2011, 10:49
I agree 900 euros a month , can I ask someone does this money go towards the upkeep of any family they might have or do they have to pay for their own food and keep , there are families in Malta struggling and have done no wrong , is this figure right .
Andrew Camilleri
Dec 14th 2011, 10:02
Ahjar imur il habs ghax xoghol!
Charles Micallef
Dec 14th 2011, 09:46
So it is better to be in prison than on the dole! Only in Malta!
MALCOLM SEYCHELL
Dec 14th 2011, 09:43
Incredible. prisoners earn more than those with a minimum wage. Shame on this socialist regime
Joe Gatt
Dec 14th 2011, 10:21
Plus Free* Food and Lodging and perks.
*FREE meaning others paying for the whole mess.
Call this Justice?
R ferriggi
Dec 14th 2011, 09:36
omg..... thats not muc hmell than what i earn.
8-5 job,,, hard work in the private sector with managerial responsibilities.
nice.
ferriggi
M Cassar
Dec 14th 2011, 09:36
A warder passes off the bahaviour of a 40 year old woman as 'naughty' when what the witness stated could easily ammount to bullying and forced dependence on a substance which the bully conveniently has a monopoly over? Was the warder asked about the special privilages? Perhaps warder trainers should re-read Zimbardo, then get a good book on the Theory of Constraints and re-think the correctional (!) facility's management and auditing system!!
Wow, is this what we pay taxes for??
Thomas Vella
Dec 14th 2011, 09:35
Mela sewwa jin nqum ghax xoghol kuljum fis sitta ta filodu u namel tmien sijat jek mux iktar nahdem bhal baghal u gieli qas ndawwaq dawk il flus u dawn joqodu jiehdu id drogi u andhom akkomodazzjoni, dawl, ilma u affarijiet ohra b'xejn u jaqalaw daqsi jekk mux iktar !!
X'pajjiz tan nejk hu dan ?!? Mux talli jaqalaw iktar minni talli probabli il gvern ma jaqtalom xej minnhom wkoll, taxxi ma johdilomx il dawn !
Ara vera ma jistax iktar jghaddi z-zmien bina dan il gvern li ghandna !
Michael Borg
Dec 14th 2011, 09:11
1 BOV work uin there ??? my accounts in the hands of criminals !!!!
2 do they pay NI and IINCOME TAX ?
3 well they can pay for their stay their ( 50 euros a day is the estimate per inmate ) and not from tax payer!!
Referdum Kbir irridu hawn malta tal biki
D Borg
Dec 14th 2011, 09:03
One question comes to my mind given this unbelievable statement:
Do they pay taxes on the amount earned?
F. Pisani
Dec 14th 2011, 09:02
with the combined wages of my mother ( a Part-Time Child assistant) and My Father work ( A Skilled Carpenter u works with a Companie) they do NOT ACCUMULATED THE SAME AMOUNT OF WAGE THESE PRISONERS TAKE. SHAMEFULL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joseph M Scicluna
Dec 14th 2011, 08:55
It seems that it pays to be naughty, like being a single mother for instance who earns social assistance more than I do after I have worked for 43 years !!!!!!!
Lawrence Zammit
Dec 14th 2011, 09:52
Sounds to me that it would be terribly difficult for you, with a name like Joseph, to become a single mother. (Unless that is, you are the same Joseph found in the Crib!)
Joseph M Scicluna
Dec 14th 2011, 15:18
Mr Lawrence Zammit:
Had I been born a female, I would have opted for it!!!
M camilleri
Dec 14th 2011, 08:45
u lil anzjani li tant hadmu ghal pajjiez nohdulom il penzjoni....
Peter McKing
Dec 14th 2011, 08:30
What about repayment for accomodation, food costs, warders costs and whatever plus compensation towards the victims of their crimes?
VV Bartolo
Dec 14th 2011, 08:28
wot??? not even an arriva driver or a care worker at Mater Dei earns this much let alone a prisoner without cost of living expenses!!
steve Micallef
Dec 14th 2011, 08:17
so no rent to pay no utility's and you can get 900 a month. no wonder they keep going back
how much does a warden make a month? before he/she has to pay rent and utility's
V. Cauchi
Dec 14th 2011, 08:16
So some prisoners earn as much as a fully entitled pensioner while also living at State expense.
Also worth investigating, why do two private companies provide jobs to prisoners and under what conditions? Is this cheap labour? Has a public offer been made to other companies? Do prisoners pay NI contributions so that they can keep getting a good pension in their old age?
Would not the time spent in prison be better employed in educating and rehabilitating inmates?
Something is radically wrong in the State of Malta, not only its incongruent constitution.
mario gellel
Dec 14th 2011, 08:10
AMAZINGLY, NOT THAT I SOMETHING AGAINST THEM I SOMETIMES EARN LESS. AND THAT'S WORKING MORE THAN 40hrs PER WEEK.
IF IT WAS'NT FOR MY FAMILY, I WOULD THINK OF JOINING THEM. FREE FOOD, NO RENT AND MOST OF ALL NO ELECTRICITY BILLS.
Carmel Cilia
Dec 14th 2011, 08:04
One earns 900 euros whilst in prison and you have security guards with private companies working for less then that and having to support a family. No wonder our corradino prison is over booked.