NGO insists life imprisonment should be abolished
Life term imprisonment should be replaced by indefinite terms, and those sentenced to such terms should be eligible for parole, according to proposals made to the political party by Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl (MDD), the NGO which works among prisoners and their relatives.
In a 20-point statement, the organisation said, among other things, that although the parole system was introduced six months ago, no prisoner has benefited from it yet and the mechanism still needed to be put in place for its effective implementation. The society said the law needed to be amended for all prisoners to be eligible for parole.
In comments on the life term sentence, MDD said this was an inhuman concept and, in line with the views expressed by the European Court of Human Rights, life terms should be replaced by prison sentences with indefinite terms.
The society called for more frequent recourse to other forms of punishment instead of imprisonment. It noted that close to 600 people were behind bars, crowding the prisons.
A prisoners classification system was needed so that those awaiting trial were held separately from those who had been convicted.
It said that prisoners should be given more opportunities for work and training.
It proposed a system of 'after care' to help prisoners once they were released.
The society also complained about the physical state of the prisons and called for an upgrading.
The same call was made with regard tot he quality of food.
In other points, the NGO suggested that a team could be brought from abroad to help in the modern management of the prisons
The NGO called for recruitment of prison warders and insisted that prisoners who paid their taxes and social security should not lose their social security pension.
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121 Comments
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vella m
Oct 7th 2012, 13:18
We should have a referendum on capital punishment!
Paul Sammut
Oct 7th 2012, 12:23
These NGO's talk they way they do because they have not been molested by any of those we call 'Hard Criminals'. When some NGO member expereinces a violent act against any of his beloved parents, I am sure that they will change their mind there and then and they would not talk any more of stupid paroles !
Ruth Muscat
Oct 7th 2012, 09:36
i agree with what was proposed by MDD , that is, reforming the prisoners and prisons, but eligible for parole..tut tut, one should be very careful who to release in circulation and some none at all.. as for life sentences, what deterrent would there be for serious crimes? We live in a deteriorated society as it is, more leniency in sentences means more crime to the detriment of the honest citizen
Damian Allison
Oct 7th 2012, 09:08
Remove life sentences? The only way I'd vote for that would be to reinstate the death penalty instead of life in prison. Less crowded prisons, less scum to worry about, less taxes to pay.
Peter Seebohm
Oct 7th 2012, 11:04
and once somebody of your family is invovlved you would be the loutest whiner
Charles Miceli
Oct 7th 2012, 08:54
In civilized countries the life sentence is also known as the other death sentence. Condemned to rot in a cell without any hope for me is a slow death penalty. It is cruel and inhuman. I would like to congratulate Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl for their sterling work in this field and I really hope that the people that matter will see the logic of their recommendations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN7VwUrKuIM
William Spencer
Oct 7th 2012, 16:40
Cruel and inhuman ? Are not murderers, rapists, paedophiles, armed robbers, etc,etc exactly that !!
So why feel any pity for them. Long prison sentences cost the tax payers millions of euros annually. So why not stop being cruel and inhuman, and just execute them. That keeps scum out of society permanently, and saves millions !!
Paul Bajada
Oct 7th 2012, 08:45
NGOs should not be financed by our taxes! The governments, whether PL, PN or otherwise should refrain from financially supporting NGOs with overwhelming salary demands. They are putting unnecessary financial strain on the country's finances without achieving any results whatsoever.
This last statement sums it all!
Joseph Camilleri
Oct 7th 2012, 08:23
It is true that sentences never offer a solution, Humans never found the proper way how to solve the punishment issue. The centre itself has a very unsuitable name " correctional" Some people are rotten and that is it! There is nothing to correct! they go out and massacre some more !
Unfortunately these people never made it well enough to grasp what it means to live in harmony with other people.
Snakes can never live in harmony with their prey! This is a natural fact.
Fr Mark Montebello has a serious problem to deal with, he loves to go against the current and he loves to cause a stir. I find his statements at times very absurd.
He is trying to bring back to life a dead object.
David Bezzina
Oct 7th 2012, 07:05
Whilst being against capital punishment,I disagree that life sentences should be abolished.Life sentences are there as a deterrent.Compared to other countries,court sentences are quite mild.
Victor Gelfo
Oct 7th 2012, 07:00
These armchair 'philosophers' and 'pseudo-reformists' of Mid-dlam ghad dawl, asked also for better food and conditions in prison! What's next. This is a great insult to all sufferers of crime.
Prison is prison and the conditions must be as terrible as possible to serve as a deterrent. The conditions in our prisons seems to be good, as criminals are never afraid to go back!
A prisoner has no right to ask. A prisoner looses all civil rights.
Noel Mifsud
Oct 7th 2012, 05:26
Ma naqbilx li titnehha l piuena ta ghomor il habs. Nermmen li ghandu jinghata cans iehor imma mhux fuq kazi ta mewt u l izjed mewt brutali. Il prigunier ghandu jinghata cans iehor ? u lil min qatel ha ngibuh lura mill mewt. ? Fuq akkuzi ohra ghandu jinghata cans imma ma ghandux ikun li nressqu akkuzat b xi ghaxar jew hmistax il akkuza. Iridu nifhmu li dawn in nies ikunu periklu ghas socjeta. Ma nistawx nibqaw naghru chances, umbghad jitressqu fuq dawn l akkuzi kollha.
Matthew Pace
Oct 7th 2012, 01:11
Am really impressed, rather than promoting stricter laws, we are now trying to minimise the life sentence, I strongly recommend we introduce the death penalty. In an ideal world politicians should contract a team to cleanse our society from our bad elements. Everybody comes up with his her excuse, psychological trauma, bad upbringing, broken homes, bad neibourhood, the reality is everybody knows right from wrong, so let's not keep hiding behind these daft theoretical excuses. The decent citizens, feel that our legal system is not harsh enough let alone, promote such absurd proposals.
carlos ellul
Oct 7th 2012, 00:55
If we get rid of life sentence then we'll end up with ridiculous sentences like the ones given to Breivek. That racist got 21 years for killing 77 people which means around 3 months jail per kill. Is that what we truly want? A person's life is much more valuable then that.
Joseph Borg
Oct 7th 2012, 00:11
I fully concur that life term imprisonment should be used sparingly because I feel that this system has failed. Once should seriously consider re-introducing the DEATH PENALTY in cases of cold-blooded murders. Please let us not forget the victims - murderers have no right to decide when to terminate one's life. Their rights have ended at the moment they decided to end another person's life.
What reformation have we observed in our prisons? These persons are a burder and a threat to society. They are living off our backs! We need to spring clean our society.Drastic changes are urgently required.
G Hoare
Oct 6th 2012, 22:37
Alot of the criminals comes out of prison to repeat and offend again .it does not take a genius to tell us that .
When people keeps trying to put me / us down by saying that im /we are Christian and should forgive ,you need to remember that the person that done wrong is going to find a million excuse to be freed and that he is a changed men / woman
but what would we do to multi offenders keep letting them out to do it again ,When a criminal takes life and he is let out just remember that you, or one of your family could be his next victim .
Charles Zammit
Oct 6th 2012, 20:52
Shorten a life sentence ? A life sentence should be just that , unless Capital Punishment is the law of a country . Some of the victims end up with a life sentence and not of their doing . I wonder if the 5 year old April in Wales was one of these peoples relative .
Charles Zammit
Oct 6th 2012, 20:52
Shorten a life sentence ? A life sentence should be just that , unless Capital Punishment is the law of a country . Some of the victims end up with a life sentence and not of their doing . I wonder if the 5 year old April in Wales was one of these peoples relative .
Lawrence Attard
Oct 6th 2012, 20:39
Not on your nillie. Don't play the humanists.
Carmel (Nenu) Aquilina
Oct 6th 2012, 19:46
Naħseb li għandkhom xi żbal fl-isem!
Milli qed naqra x'qed tipproponu, Tgħid ikunx aħjar li issemmu l-għaqda mid-Dlam għad Dlam!
Kieku is-seriel killers jibdew jitwieldu fostna kuljum!
Minn jaf kieku xi ħadd minkhom jew mill-familji tagħkom tkunu l-vitma ta' xi qattiel bla kuxjenza, tkunux intom li tibgħatuħ għall xi holyday fuq xi gfżira fil-Caribew, flok is-sentenza għall-omru f'Kordin?
Tirranġawwa l-Malta u lill-Għawdex!
U Ħalluna, u morru komplu għixu fid-dlam!
Alla ħares niġu f'dik is-sitwazzjoni li l-partiti politiċi jiġġennu daqshekk li jisimgħu minkom!
Mela lill vitmi u l-innoċenti x' ħaqqhom, Sinjuri ta' mid-Dlam għad-Dlam?
S Grech
Oct 6th 2012, 19:22
My goodness me how very quick people are to judge below comments just go to show how many self righteous hippocrites there are around us. Nowhere in this article did it suggest that convicted murderers will be roaming the streets of Malta!! Although of course that is possible when someone engages a very expensive lawyer!! MDD perform sterling work for all prisoners and more importantly their families, who also are innocent victims.
Prisoners have committed a crime for which they then do the time. Fact; prison is overcrowded with many people who are awaiting sentencing (innocent until proven guilty?) and due to the slowness of the judicial system this can be many months or years!!
Fact; prisoners are still human beings!!!! No one deserves to endure a prison sentence in a cold damp cell, cold showers, intermittent education oportunities, no matter what.
Taking away someones freedom is one thing, it is inhumane to try and take away their dignity too.
MDD happen to be referring to lesser sentences eg white collar crimes, tax evasion, fraud, people who would benefit from rehabilitation etc not every convicted criminal is a threat to society. A society that remains judgemental!!!
Joseph Vassallo, (Bugibba)
Oct 7th 2012, 11:13
@S Grech: You are truly UNBELIEVABLE. You indirectly determine that you are righteous and all who disagree with you are hippocrites. I'm surprised that you don't profess to having a halo on your head.
You said "MDD perform sterling work for all prisoners and more importantly their families..." They don't do anything for the actual victims and THEIR families then. THOSE are the real and actual victims.
You said prison is overcrowded... So what? Build a bigger one because it has become essential to do so. It is quite untrue that prisoners are being kept inside without reason because we have a generation of lawyers quoting sentences (including constitutional) that have ordered the release of those purporting to be held illegitimately. Even offenders who deserve incarceration are being let off with suspended sentences and allowed to think they can do the crime again with impunity.
You said prisoners are human and don't deserve cold showers etc... What is human about taking the life of a man, woman or child?
You said "cold damp cell, cold showers..." What century are you living in, if I may ask?
You said "...it is inhumane to try and take away their dignity too." What is humane about murdering someone? What is humane about orphaning a child? What is humane about widowing a mother?
Dignity? Where is the dignity in spilling the blood of a brother human being? Next you be calling for a state of martyrdom for those who actually discount theoir sentences. There is an absence of dignity even in cruelty to animals and we profess to that often enough so what about human beings then?
You said "MDD happen to be referring to lesser sentences eg white collar crimes, tax evasion..." NO IT IS NOT! This is about "LIFE MEANHS LIFE". Life sentences are not given for white-collar crimes... they are given for qualified murder.
A judgemental society? Really? Or is it a society that has become intersparsed with wannabe do-gooders trying to undo the will of the society to which they themselves belong. Now THAT, is hypocricy because I cannot imagine many not wanting to exact their pound of flesh when personally faced by these realities.
S Grech
Oct 7th 2012, 22:55
@ Joseph Vassallo: Do you feel better now?
No I do not profess to have a halo, far from it but I beg to differ from the opinion of so many who have posted here. That is my democratic right!!
I do not have to justify my opinion to anyone. I also do not profess to be a wannabe dogooder.
Yes what century are we living in? Prison cells in Corradino section Female A are cold and damp in the winter, with water running down the walls, the cells were built in the 19th Century!
MDD has given a list of proposals and they are just that proposals, which is some of the work this NGO perform, and yes I reiterate that they perform sterling work (difficult at times) with prisoners and their families and they do it voluntarily
.
I at no time negated the importance of victims and their families but when a crime is committed the victim count is many.
For victims of crimes I agree there should be a lot more Victim support but government resources are limited and NGO's are few and far between.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121007/local/-My-mother-should-not-be-in-prison-.439897
Should this woman really be in prison? She now will have a tainted police conduct record for 2 years which virtually means no further employment.
Corradino Correctional Facility should be just that correctional. A place for persons who commit severe crimes against society like taking the life of another or maybe even worse, ruining the life, beyond repair of another.
Joseph Vassallo, (Bugibba)
Oct 9th 2012, 15:15
@ S Grech: You said "I beg to differ"... That is an ocean of distance from calling all-and-sundry "self-righteous hippocrites". You judged everyone and simultaneously complained that they were "quick to judge".
I did post a more exhaustive reply to your second post but for reasons known only to itself, timesonline has not delivered it. Never mind ey! I'm not anyone important after all.
Eugene Sapiano
Oct 6th 2012, 18:33
I am alo against life inprisonment~
Reuben D. Spiteri
Oct 6th 2012, 18:25
Ara hawn Malta vera jeżistu nies vili u ħodor!
Piena kapitali? Forka?? Sewwa, mela basta f'Malta niftaħru li aħna nies suppost ċivili, irridu nġibu lura l-piena tal-mewt? Tafu li hu kontra t-tagħlim nisrani li tieħu ħajjet ħaddieħor, ikun min ikun? Intomx fost dawk li tkunu minn ta' quddiem tagħtu fuq sidirkom fil-knisja ukoll?
Nifhem li forsi hemm min irid li ma titneħħiex il-piena ta' għomor ħabs, għallinqas mhux lil dawk il-kriminali li ma juru l-ebda sinjal ta' rimors jew li wettqu atroċitajiet vera tal-waħx, imma li taqbad u titfa' lil kulħadd go l-istess keffa hu żball gravi wkoll.
Kieku uliedkom jiżbaljaw u jispiċċaw ġol-ħabs ma tkunux tixtiequ li jagħtuhom mqar ċans ieħor, jew tiġi taqgħu u tqumu minn demmkom stess?
Jien iktar interessat inkun naf x'wassal lil dawn in-nies biex għamlu dak li għamlu milli nitfagħhom f'toqba u ninsihom hemm.
Joe Scerri
Oct 6th 2012, 18:43
Why put religion in this?
Why assume that everyome is Catholic?
Why do you write in Maltese in an English newspaper?
Why assume that we all go to church?
Are you a victim or do you have family members who are?
Why don't you show some respect to the victims families?
I consider anyone who tries to defend criminals as a criminal.
Demi Tanti
Oct 6th 2012, 19:47
in my opinion, i don't think you're speaking the truth either. You are trying to guilt people into telling them that if it were their children they would look at it differently. Yes I would if it was my son, then again as a parent I would also be obliged to teach my son from right and wrong. Look at how Malta was 50 years ago, the people were much more religious than they are now and crimes were something you only watched on tv. Now, crime has become a normal thing which we often read about. All sorts of things have been done people killing their own wives, mothers, children and i'm sorry to say but maybe the death penalty should come back. I am a christian and i've attended religious schools for most of my life but i'm sorry to say that the death penalty should return because those who kill others should know and understand the damage they've done and caused to others instead of being granted more liberty and making prisons a better place to live in. come on, stop giving me a sob story and be realistic!
Joseph Pavia
Oct 6th 2012, 20:01
Reuben sakemm tkunx doqt il-hdura ta’ min joqtollok lil xi hadd ghaziz ghalik u ma esperjenzajtx il-firda kiefra li ‘ggib maghha din l-azzjoni krudili ma nahsibx li int jew xi hadd iehor li jahsiba bhalhekk tistghu taqbdu u titfghu lill kulhadd f’keffa wahda u tajru hodor lil min ifittex gustizzja li b’xi mod isserrah il-qalb tal-familja tal-vittma.
Dawn l-NGOs veru m’ghandhomx x’jghamlu biex johorgu b’wahda bhal din. Sentenza ta’ ghomor il-habs tinghata biss ghal min jinstab li qatel b’mod premeditat. Allahares ma kienx hekk! Min joqtol ta’ xejn il-forka haqqu u mhux ghomor il-habs. Talanqas illum nibghathom il-habs u mhux noqtluhom bhal ma jkun jixirqilhom.
Int semmejt kif suppost igibu ruhom l-insara! L-insara suppost jimxu fuq it-taghlim tal-Bibbja. Kristu kemm il-darba widdeb li kemm il-darba wiehed ma jgibx ruhu kif suppost jintefa barra fejn ikun hemm biki u tezziz tas-snien. Ahna nifghu qattiel il-habs u hemm jghix ta’ Papa ghal ghomru li filfatt tfisser 25 sena u inqas jekk igib ruhu tajjeb. Forsi jien zbaljat. Nixtieq li jien.
Josef Schembri
Oct 6th 2012, 20:31
Habib meta tbati I'll konsegwenzi ta haddiehor tkellem....
twanny borg
Oct 6th 2012, 21:03
naqbel......... kullhadd ghandu dimonju go fih....... kultant jaf jirkeb lil kullhadd.
Joseph Vassallo, (Bugibba)
Oct 6th 2012, 21:17
Quote: "Kieku uliedkom jiżbaljaw u jispiċċaw ġol-ħabs ma tkunux tixtiequ li jagħtuhom mqar ċans ieħor, jew tiġi taqgħu u tqumu minn demmkom stess?" Unquote.
Kieku xi hadd joqtol lil xi wiehed minn uliedek, trid taghtih ic-cans li jigi joqtollok lill-iehor?
IL-piena ta' ghomor il-habs tinghata biss lill-min jippjana li joqtol u jwettaq il-pjan kiesah u biered (cold-bloodedly). Ghaliex ghandu jinghata c-cans li jerga joqtol?
X'ghandu x'jaqsam ir-religjon u jekk imorrux ihabbtu fuq sidirhom dawk li ma' jaqblux li titnehha?
Erbghat ijien ohra ser ikun hawn min jghid li anke l-pedofili ghandhom bzonn l-imhabba u l-kura? S'issa kull ma qed nisinghu u li min jizbalja ghax ghandu bzonn l-imhabba tal-proxxmu jew ghax miskin ghal xi raguni jew ohra. U hallina gbin... Il-ligi qeghda hemm ghax hemm bzonna mhux kapricc ta' xi hadd li jrid jidher qalbu tajba u li jaghder. Dak li hu tal-Mulej tiegh lill-Mulej u dak li hu ta' Cesare tiegh lil Cesare.
Joseph Vassallo, (Bugibba)
Oct 6th 2012, 21:22
Nsejt nghidlek li vili u hodor huma dawk li jaraw it-tixrid tad-demm u ma' jitbaqbqu xejn ghax ghalihom "Heqq, Allura miskin/a zbalja/t. Ahfrulu/a ta' nsara twajbin li intom!"
G Hoare
Oct 6th 2012, 22:22
would you think the same if you had your child,father or mother taking away from you . killed by sombody in your opinion would be the same .
Mario Tabone
Oct 6th 2012, 23:08
I really feel sorry for you Reuben !!!
May you never have to go through the loss and pain when some scum of the earth criminal kills one of your family or rapes and kills a child from your family. Would you want to give him or her another chance ? Would you want him/her to get parole after a few years and be back out on the streets ? Don't bring religeon into it my friend . These criminals will not change and become saints just because you pray that they will !!!
Yes we should bring back the death penalty because since it was abolished there has been no deterrant to commit murder or such serious crime.
Parole should only be considered for those serving prison sentences for what can be deemed as minor offences.
Where somebody is convicted for things like murder by way of forensics only then they should remain on death row until they die naturally. But for those who are convicted and there is absolutely no doubt then they should face the death penalty . Child and police killers should be shown no mercy whatsoever.
Peter Agius
Oct 6th 2012, 23:48
Ezatt Sur Spiteri. Kieku ibni joqtol biex jisraq jew ghal xi barumbara ohra, barra difiza legittima, dan nisthajlu li fl-ahhar minn l-ahhar qatt ma kien ibni..........u haqqu l-forka.
carlos ellul
Oct 7th 2012, 00:47
Jien nemmen li hafna qeghdin jitkellmu kif jitkellmu b'response ghas sentenzi ridikoli li qed jinataw dawn l ahhar. Nahseb li naqblu fuq l fatt li jekk persuna isawwat persuna ohra, mghandux jehel sentenza sospiza.
R Ragunament tieghek li tqieghed l affarijiet fuq livell personali hu zbaljat u perikoluz. Tipo jien nista nghidlek xi tkun r reazzjoni tieghek jekk bintek tkun vittma ta rape jew swat. Cert li s sentenza li taghti l proxxmu tkun hafna aghar min dik li ser jehel fl qrati.
Fl ahhar ma naqbilx li idahhal r religjon fl istorja. Ma ninsewx li l aghar massakri saru f isem ta religjonijiet.
Shaun Anthony Camilleri
Oct 7th 2012, 07:16
Does it not say in the Bible an eye for an eye? Or do you take out what suits you and quote that? Also the law has nothing to do with Christianity as if it did adultery and, homosexuality to name what I can remember would be a crime. In the Bible criminals are punished too unless you have another version.
paul camilleri
Oct 7th 2012, 08:00
so you think a murderer and or a serial killer should be allowed out on the streets? this is tal wahx habib not that people would prefer the death penalty for such a monster because this is what they are monsters.
you asked if any ones offspring ( son / daughter) was put in prison for life how they would feel, this i cannot say for anyone but if it were my offspring then i would say yes because he/she took away an inocent life for what?? sex? money? or for what ever reason ( unless in self defence) this person son or not has turned his/her back on God and has become a monster.
people like this given the opportunity to get out of prison would lick anyones feet !!!!and go back to doing what they were doing before.
if your interested in why these people do what they have done go interview them especially the serial killer and see if he comes to you all sorry and never will he do such an act again.
like that guy who is accused in attacking the MMDNA nurse fgieh Alla mar fuq qablu biex min halieh ha bezza in-nies kieku jien kont nqaccat larblu bieh bkollox mela noqod nistenieh jinzel..biex issa qed Mount Karmel evita il habs ghal kollox!!!!!
so Mr Spiteri that is why most people here are and would prefer the death penatly, failing that, then LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE!!!!!
Joe Scerri
Oct 6th 2012, 18:15
Tell that to the victims of these criminals. I ask this so called NGO how many of your members or their respective families and close friends are victims of murderers, rapists, paedophiles or other scum?
Malu Rosso
Oct 6th 2012, 20:24
Prosit very well said Joe Scerri. Next wednesday 10th October it will be seven years since my brother Brian Rosso was brutally killed and his body was thrown into the sea. Just three months and two days after our father John Rosso passed away because of a broken heart. These scums should stay in prison were they belong.
Elaine Debono
Oct 6th 2012, 20:57
Totally agree with you ... If these so-called people have caused serious injury to society they should not be chucked back with society ... It would be a major insult to the victims' families to let them loose again... And if the families of these felons think it's not right they should have educated them better or done their best to put them on the right path
J Micallef
Oct 6th 2012, 18:11
As a (serious) past time I read criminal history, and the number of cases I come across of repeat crimes by the same individuals, which often get worse and worse, lead me to disagree with this NGO's proposal.
J Micallef
Oct 6th 2012, 18:03
Is this funny or dramatic?
In the same week when a person was convicted for a horrible murder, and who was also convicted of another and suspected of yet a third, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl suddenly land from planet Mars and come out with this?
Where shall we head to? Introducing the equivalent of USA's Second Amendment in the Maltese Law and Constitution?
Nicholas Baldacchino
Oct 6th 2012, 18:01
Yes it should be abolished and introduce the capital punishment instead for a scum that kills a family member. HEY YOU NGO'S WHAT ABOUT THE VICTIMS FAMILIES?
M. Zammit
Oct 6th 2012, 17:57
"The society called for more frequent recourse to other forms of punishment instead of imprisonment. It noted that close to 600 people were behind bars, crowding the prisons."
And because the prisons are crowded... the solution is being more lenient!!! Ahh yes... we should encourage more crime by this reasoning!
What is MDD anyway? Is MDD trying to justify it's existance forgetting the whole point of prison? Perhaps MDD should cater for the victims instead of the prisoners if it wants to justify it's existance!!!
Steve Pace
Oct 6th 2012, 17:46
Life term imprisonment should be replaced by indefinite terms - No it should not. Besides capital punishment this is the only means of ensuring individuals do not repeat their inhumane crimes against humanity and which in most cases is only against defenseless frail people who are many a time subjected to a horrendous experience before they are brutally and senselessly murdered for pittance in some cases.
MDD may have a role to play in assisting convicted criminals to rehabilitate and move on from their past in order to someday re-integrate in society, however it has also a duty to reflect on the implications such suggestions it is making have on the victims' relatives who many times cannot come to terms with what happened to their loved ones for many years if not for all their life. It is an absolute shame that such an NGO forgets victims of such crimes and seems to put solidarity and emotions before national security and consequences of their 'clients' actions !
Charles Grixti
Oct 6th 2012, 17:45
What is next from this NGO, that convicted killers should also be given the Gieh ir-Republika medal?
M Borg
Oct 6th 2012, 17:43
MMD want the prisons to be upgraded. Will the " resting place " of the victims be upgraded also ?
Going to prison should be a deterrent. It seems that prisoners are getting used to a " life of luxury " in prison seeing the number of crimes that are being committed.
Ms Maria Vella
Oct 6th 2012, 17:36
Rights rights rights but no one speaks about responsibility! People should think before they act and then learn to suffer the consequences f their actions. What about thinking if the victims and the consequences they are faced with after having experienced the actions of such people!????
Jonathan Grech
Oct 6th 2012, 17:30
i lost my father when i was 10 and i passed from hell to hell and to make it worse i had to endure meeting the the man who killed my father on the street it made me want to vomit all the time.These men where free after 3 and half years they where originally sentenced to 9 years(cause in malta if you have a good lawyer) and the queen and the pope came to malta and they got the sentence reduced.you dont even have an idea from what my family had passed trough i still have not told my daughter how my father died cause i dont want to make her feel a bit of what i had and still going trough.I miss my father all the time and no one will ever replace what these men took from me(my life)
GL Calleja
Oct 6th 2012, 19:31
And these bleeding hearts want you to forgive and forget? That will never happen because the loss and the hurt stays with you all your life. Take a life, then give a life, well at least in my book. You are right when you say, that in Malta money, politics and a good lawyer can get you anything you want.
Charles Sammut
Oct 6th 2012, 17:23
MDD stated that "life term sentence is an inhuman concept"...I believe "inhuman" means - against humanity!
Is murdering someone - against humanity ?
Shaun Anthony Camilleri
Oct 6th 2012, 17:18
What are these NGOs complaining about criminals have it good here in Malta. If they do not manage to get away with a suspended sentence they get to go to the Corradino Hotel. There they can study, they have their own social workers to help them with their trauma of having been caught and not got away with a suspended sentence and, they get entertained too. I am thinking of applying too.
Francis Grech
Oct 6th 2012, 17:09
WHAT no parole in Malta yet that's why our prison is over populated because we don't have that system prisoners should be given a second chance further more not all murderers are that way by choice they are still human beings and should be treated like wise keeping a human being incarcerated all his life is a thing of the past and only happen's in back ward country.s like some states of America and most of the middle east country's I for one don't want my catholic Malta to be like that God said to forgive and forget.
Peter Camilleri
Oct 6th 2012, 18:47
@ Francis Grech
You are living in cloud-cuckoo-land, my friend. According to you, murderers should be given a second chance - to murder somebody else. And have you forgotten that victims are also human beings?
The piece de resistance of your post is your final suggestion to "forgive and forget". So, close down the prison, close down the law courts, and gloat over the amount of money the country would be saving. And when somebody robs you or kills someone dear to you, then think nothing of it, but just apply your "forgive and forget" maxim.
Hallina, Grech !!!
Josef Schembri
Oct 6th 2012, 20:34
So you re saying that you would adopt/give a murderer/rapist the key to live in your house yes?
carlos ellul
Oct 7th 2012, 00:50
And Christianity states then someone who died with sin will pass the eternity in hell.
We far less cruel.
A. Mizzi
Oct 6th 2012, 17:00
Will this restore the LIVES , the possessions , the memories these villains cut short!
Wil this take back the tears shed by THE VICTIMS OF THEIR CRIMES?
They are LUCKYy enoughto be caught and convicted in Malta where sentences are quite petty in comparison to crimes committed and at many time are relapsers!
If it was for me I'd do more than throw away the key with BEING A VICTIM OF SUCH CRIMES , having valuables, memories taken away from me and the trauma uffered by close relatives at such loses who were lucky enough to come out alive from such an experience!
Prison should not even be the holiday camp it is now, it's should be made HARD INSIDE , IT IS NO HOLIDAY either out here with stolen memories and stolen lives!
Joseph M. Saliba
Oct 6th 2012, 16:27
Parole my foot as this was only the idea of a former disgraced Minister for the Interior. Not only should life imprisonment be abolished but I would recommend the re-introduction of capital punishment to deter from having serial killers as lately.
Charles Sammut
Oct 6th 2012, 17:02
@ Joseph...I couldn't have put any better myself ! Bring back the death penalty.
Pierre Micallef-Grimaud
Oct 6th 2012, 16:26
Life sentence is life and nothing less, sorry.
M Borg
Oct 6th 2012, 16:25
If they do not want to spend the rest of their life in prison, they should think before taking another one's life.
If a life sentence is " inhuman " what would MMD call the killing of another human being ?? A life sentence is forever , so no form of parole should apply.
twanny borg
Oct 6th 2012, 16:22
mhux kemm wiehed jaqta ghad-dritt. veru li min jizbalja irid ihallas. pero bniedem jista' jinbidel. hemm min kien il-habs u halef li hemm aktar ma jidholx. naqbel li min ikun il-habs ikun jaf kemm ghandu snin hemm gew. kull reat huwa differenti minn iehor. min jizbalja darba mod min jippersisti mod iehor. kull hadd ghandu t-tajjeb u l-hazin tieghu u kulhadd jista' jizbalja. ghomor il-habs ghandha tkun nghidu ahna 40 sena zgur minghajr parole. naqbel li min imur il-habs irid jaghti lura lis-socjeta u mhux bil-maqlub. importanti mhux iz-zmien li wiehed jaghmel il-habs imma kemm iddispjacih talli jkun ghamel u li lest li qatt ma jerga jizbalja.
A. Falzon
Oct 6th 2012, 17:10
Well said Mr. Borg. But it's not 'to pay back to society' but to the victims or there families. First time offenders should get another chance but the second time the sentence should be multiplied.
J Micallef
Oct 6th 2012, 18:08
Imma nafu li ma jinbidlux, Sur Borg, didhakx bik innifsek u haddiehor.
Daqs kemm irnexxieli ninbidel jien - hlief ghax zdiedli ix-xaghar abjad, difficli taqta vizzju zghir, ahseb u ara drawwa hazina, specjalment meta tkun saret parti mill hajja.
Kelly Down
Oct 6th 2012, 16:19
Bring back Capital Punishment, so good people sleep better at night, and feel safer
Austin grech
Oct 6th 2012, 16:16
and how will they (ngo's) compensate us law abiding citizen if these in mates go rough again. Will they be responsible?
GL Calleja
Oct 6th 2012, 16:15
Usually, a life in prison sentence is given to those that commit heinous crimes like murder. How funny to call the death penalty and life in prison sentences a cruel and unusual punishment. What do you call the murder of innocent people? Now there is a truth of what a cruel and unusual punishment is. Bleeding hearts like the MDD are making the perpetrator the victim. Maybe that is part of why this world is in the shape it is in. " The same call was made with regard to the quality of food." That is the same call that us in the free world are making to the airlines. Those sentenced to a death penalty and the life in prison sentences should have thought about those sentences before committing the crime. Who is Protecting the rights of the innocent? That is what the MDD and the bleeding hearts should be fighting for.
Lawrence Fenech
Oct 6th 2012, 16:13
Say that to the widonws and orphans.
Chris Ellul
Oct 6th 2012, 16:09
Are these people for real??? Prisoners locked up under life sentence terms should have thought about their human rights before actually committing their crimes.... life is a very simple process, you reap what to sow....
It is also made up of choices..... Each choice is made up of an action and an equal and opposite reaction, hence you commit a serious crime (murder 2/3 ppl) as an action and you get life in prison as an equal an opposite reaction....very simple....
I would take away the NGO license from MDD for such statements! Or lock them up in prison for being a threat to society!
E. Vassallo
Oct 6th 2012, 16:09
What about the victims MDD? Have you ever crossed your mind that the criminals you are defending hvae murdered innocent victims? don't you think that a murdered person leaves an irreplaceable void in their family?
henry caruana
Oct 6th 2012, 16:09
Life inprisonment should be abolished
Murderers with intention should be eliminated and HANGED
J Micallef
Oct 6th 2012, 18:09
Beautifully put...your first statement almost caught me out!
joe galea
Oct 6th 2012, 16:08
Vera mid dlam ghal dlam u halluna !!!!!!!!! aghjar tigi il piena tal mewt nies li jotlu maniex nambuhom fi societa !!!!!!!!!!
Vera mid dlam ghal dlam aghjar tigi il piena tal mewt !!!!!
angelo cilia
Oct 6th 2012, 15:58
Yes abolish life imprisonment and bring back hanging to replace it instead.
Joseph Bugeja
Oct 6th 2012, 15:57
I Think no body of MDD suffered any harm from life sentenced prisoners. I would like to suggest indefinit term ends between 200 and 400 years.
Charles Vella
Oct 6th 2012, 15:55
I think we would better bring on the DEATH penalty!!! MDD, shut up and stop encouraging more criminals!!! Sentences are already light, as they are... they must be MORE HARSH, this to set as an example for those who are still on the border between living a good honest life, and living a life of disorder and criminality!!
A Camilleri
Oct 6th 2012, 15:47
lets send lifers to a 5 star hotel, will that be exceptable for the NGO?
Victor Gelfo
Oct 6th 2012, 15:46
All law abiding citizens must push for an urgent referendum for the re introduction of capital punishment for murder. And pls, stop being silly MDD!
Carmel (Nenu) Aquilina
Oct 6th 2012, 15:44
Naħseb li għandkhom xi żbal fl-isem!
Milli qed naqra x'qed tipproponu, Tgħid ikunx aħjar li issemmu l-għaqda mid-Dlam għad Dlam!
Kieku is-seriel killers jibdew jitwieldu fostna kuljum!
Minn jaf kieku xi ħadd minkhom jew mill-familji tagħkom tkunu l-vitma ta' xi qattiel bla kuxjenza, tkunux intom li tibgħatuħ għall xi holyday fuq xi gfżira fil-Caribew, flok is-sentenza għall-omru f'Kordin?
Tirranġawwa l-Malta u lill-Għawdex!
U Ħalluna, u morru komplu għixu fid-dlam!
Alla ħares niġu f'dik is-sitwazzjoni li l-partiti politiċi jiġġennu daqshekk li jisimgħu minkom!
Mela lill vitmi u l-innoċenti x' ħaqqhom, Sinjuri ta' mid-Dlam għad-Dlam?
Carmel Zammit
Oct 6th 2012, 15:27
No way. People that pose a menace to society should stay behind bars no matter what.
Charles Vella
Oct 6th 2012, 15:26
Yeah... no life inprisonment, just MORE reason to do crime... well done dear MDD for encouraging NEW criminals to turn to criminal life as a life time job...!!!
Mrs Maria Rosaria Brincat
Oct 6th 2012, 15:06
Ma naqbilx ma MDD ghax certu prigunieri li jkunu ghamlu reat fuq iehor ma jkunux tajbin biex jghixu qalb is socjeta'. Tant li meta jiskontaw is sentenza u johorgu nergaw nisimghu li regaw ghamlu xi reat iehor. Issa jekk persuna tkun qatlet aktar min darba u tohrog mil habs, noqodu nisugraw li terga toqtol lil xi haddiehor? Ghomor il habs ghandu jkun ghal dejjem.
Mario Tabone
Oct 6th 2012, 15:00
The dogooders are at it again I see!!!
So we abolish life sentences and introduce indefinate ones which come with a chance for parole as well. What else do they want for these prisoners, a butler ?
The only change required is to re-introduce capital punishment . A convicted prisoner can go on a sorta Death Row like in the United States . This will guarantee that no new evidence can crop up after a few years proving the persons innocence.
In cases where there is absolutely no doubt capital punishment should be carried out quickley . Get rid of the scum who commit murder.
Other sentences should have mandatory sentences with NO chance of parole. These will include drug related offences.
Parole should only be considered for what are looked upon to be minor prison sentences.
Giov DeMartino
Oct 6th 2012, 14:55
Life sentence exists only in theory. In practice many of those given a life sentence are released after 10-15 years.
Eric Camilleri (Q)
Oct 6th 2012, 14:53
In the name of hard working, law abiding, honest and innocent victims just shut up MDD.
A Camilleri
Oct 6th 2012, 14:50
So according to this NGO a crime like that committed by Ali Rezaq doesn't merit the possibility of life imprisonment (which he did not get anyway). According to this NGO a life sentence is not proportionate with the suffering of the victims and that of their families. Might agree if they were proposing replacement of the maximum of life imprisonment with a death sentence.
Antonella Aquilina
Oct 6th 2012, 14:49
A good examples to the upbringing of our children. Punishment is a must, because if you have not yet realised we are going downhill. If you do something wrong you have to pay for it according to the gravity of the crime.
Antonella Aquilina
Oct 6th 2012, 14:46
NO WONDER THE WORLD IS IN A MESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Patrick Vella
Oct 6th 2012, 14:32
Yes, I definitley agree with abolishing life sentences, but replace it with capital punishment !
Guido Farrugia
Oct 6th 2012, 14:48
U mela!!!!! Halluna minkhom Mid-dlam ghad dlam. Throw away the keys or capital punishment. Jien napplika ghal- bojja.
Carmel Debono
Oct 6th 2012, 15:50
...and I will join you too
Mr Danny Apap
Oct 6th 2012, 14:18
Are you for real? Or is it an early April fools day! Anyone that commits a crime should lose all rights of freedom and entitlements of all kinds, if one commits a murder the life sentence should mean life, why not ask for the number 007 licence to kill for a few years behind bars. On your bike!!
Peter Agius
Oct 6th 2012, 14:10
Tarax! Mhux talli l-ghomor il-habs ma ghandiex tigi imnehhija, izda ghanda terga tidhol il-piena tal-mewt, permezz tal-forka, specjalment ghal certi reati li jkunu cari daqs il-kristall.
Antonio Anastasi
Oct 6th 2012, 13:55
While I understand the cocerns as expressed by MDD, regarding life imprisonment, how does one compare the life sentence to say a murder, of a father,mother,lover,or child, who will find relief from life in prison, while the victims, in this case the surviving relatives cannot but live their life sentence, with the memory of a loved one violent death while the murderer has the possibility of freedom and a normal life
Emmanuel Marmara'
Oct 6th 2012, 13:50
Yes LIFE TERM IMPRISONMENT SHOULD BE NOT LESS THAN 100 (R) 100 YEARS.
YOU'RE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT FAVOURS FOR PRISONERS, AS IF THEY DESERVE BETTER THINGS FOR WHAT THEY'VE DONE......BUT NEVER ABOUT THE VICTIMS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Harsher penalties must (R ) must be implemented or otherwise, crime is going to keep escalate.
Franco Farrugia
Oct 6th 2012, 13:48
Pity the 'Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl' NGO doesn't work also among victims of criminals.
Eric Camilleri (Q)
Oct 6th 2012, 15:03
Well said Franco. The word Victim does not even exist in their vocabulary. For crying out loud they even want parole for "all" prisoners and a system of After Care to help these offenders, irrespective of their ruthlessness. Not even a word about the suffering of raped, robbed, mugged, traumatized, maimed or murdered victims and their greiving families.
G Portelli
Oct 6th 2012, 13:47
Better instead of life imprisonment we reintroduce the death penalty. Serious punishment for serious crimes.
Tonio Bone
Oct 6th 2012, 13:46
Without entering too much into the merit, my take on this is that life imprisonment should not be banned but should be regulated according to the gravity of the crime. A person committing premeditated murder accompanied with extraordinary and unprovoked violence should not be allowed back on the streets. If murder does not carry prescription then why should a murdered ever be forgiven! Treated humanely yes, given liberty and arbitrary forgiveness no!
m. borg (slm)
Oct 6th 2012, 13:40
While I support inmate rights I cannot agree with the abolishment of the life sentence especially were murder is committed more than once.
It would be absured to abolish the only deterent that might avoid murder.
Charlene Bonnici
Oct 6th 2012, 15:34
even 1 murder is enough!!!
paul camilleri
Oct 6th 2012, 13:39
Here we go mr do goody is poking their noses into life inprisonment!! if they are asking for the death sentence to be reinstated then i would agree but to allow murderers , rapists and other criminals loose on our streets is downright disgusting and they should be ashamed even thinking of the idea!!!
Joseph Aquilina
Oct 6th 2012, 13:32
... and what should we do with that guy who killed three people with no sign of remorse? Let him free to do it a fourth time!?
P. Attard
Oct 6th 2012, 13:28
Mela! Mhux hekk tghid? Tridux thalluna nghixu sinjuri tal-MDD?!
Alex Falzon
Oct 6th 2012, 13:22
NO WAY... they have to pay for their acts!!!!
Joseph Ellul
Oct 6th 2012, 13:21
Prisoners should have colour TV, billiards room and sauna with 24 hour masuese. In fact they should also have reclining sofas and bar fridge with 20 choices of alcoholic drinks in their single doublebed room, just in case they need to entertain their "friend" overnight.
I also suggest that this NGO should spend a few nights in a sleep over test.
All this on taxpayers' account.
What next, ?
Victor Gelfo
Oct 6th 2012, 13:21
NO WAY!!!
These are the same people who defaced our penal system and turned it into a hotel!
Life must be life as no one is above the Law and the Judge who gave the sentence. The Law knows no compassion!
Who takes an eye must pay for the eye to the fullest. These NGO's must understand that life means life and the criminal will only leave jail when he is dead!
This charade of justice must stop. Too many people are being killed or maimed by these criminals to let them roam freely in the name of compassion!
ALFRED BRIFFA
Oct 6th 2012, 13:15
Jidher li hadd mil-NGO ghadu.:
Ma sabx daru nqallba ta taht fuq u gidu misruq;
Jew sab xi anziana qaribu matta min xi wiehed li jriduh johrog bil parole, etc.
John Azzopoardi
Oct 6th 2012, 13:15
Life sentences are a must for certain cirminals, especailly murderers. A person who takes someones life, should not be allowed to roam our streets and neighborhoods.
James Tyrrell
Oct 6th 2012, 13:11
Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl (MDD) states that the life term sentence was an inhuman concept. Given the fact that most life term sentences are handed down for murder or multiple murders aren't these also an inhuman concept? Handing out prison sentences with indefinite terms simply means that at some point a friend or relative on the parole board, or someone who has been bribed can set a person free who does not deserve to be free.
I believe that people serving smaller sentences should be prepared through education during their sentence to lead a better life once released, however some people are so evil they deserve to be executed and since that unfortunately is not available they stay in prison for life. The MDD need to wake up to the realisation that prison is not there to make life easier for the convicted but to protect the innocent members of the public on the outside.
Joseph M Scicluna
Oct 6th 2012, 12:59
..................... and insisted that prisoners who paid their taxes and social security should not lose their social security pension. And whoever had a break of service due to political victimization will have his pension reduced drastically if not lost altogether. IF and WHEN the latter be rectified let NGO's suggestion be heard.
Gordon Farrugia
Oct 6th 2012, 12:52
yeah right - I'd say get back the death penalty!!!!!!
Marita Magro
Oct 6th 2012, 12:51
u mhux ekk u inkomplu inzidu mannies barra u min joqtol u jehel ghomru il habs haqqu johrog ?
Malcolm Seychell
Oct 6th 2012, 12:48
Honest citizens should be protected from criminals. If anything we should re introduce the death penalty
S. Camilleri
Oct 6th 2012, 12:46
what a load of B*
Joe M Borg
Oct 6th 2012, 12:45
'Life sentence...is inhuman..' Fine words, BUT depending on which cases you are basing your argument! E.G. In the case of a very dangerous person, a serial killer, or someone with innumerable previous convictions, should we abolish life sentences as well? Will YOU take responsibility for other crimes commited by someone who is freed? What is the most inhuman act: locking up a very dangerous person, or the crimes he commits?
vella m
Oct 6th 2012, 12:44
Life term imprisonment should not be abolished on the contrary bring back capital punishment.Seriously I think we should have a referendum on this.
carlos ellul
Oct 6th 2012, 12:42
Why not giving the criminals a prize while we are at it.
carlos ellul
Oct 6th 2012, 12:40
This ngo will soon suggest that All law abiding citizens are locked in because they are guilty of turning those poor criminals in vittmi tas socjeta.
What a joke.
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