The remark made by Joseph Camilleri, chairman of the National Commission Persons with Disability, Unceasing action on disability front (December 22), that “every time a disabling barrier is overcome new ones crop up”, could not be more on the mark.

A few months ago, I was assisting a client with a severe physical disability in criminal proceedings following his arraign-ment before the Court of Magistrates. This person spent several days at the Correctional Facility in Corradino until he was granted bail. Earlier in his life he had sustained a grievous injury when his arm had been caught in a stone-grinding machine and was severed from the rest of his body.

While in prison, he received no assistance whatsoever. There was no one to help him wash. No nursing assistance was provided. No special care was available. He went through an ordeal.

The Correctional Facility at Kordin is totally unprepared to cater for such cases. He received some help only from fellow inmates, who helped him put on some items of clothing.

The days this person spent in a Maltese prison constituted nothing less than degrading and inhuman treatment.

This letter is meant to make the authorities open their eyes to this inadequate state of affairs at the Corradino Correctional Facility.