Prisoners club together to buy tablet for their ‘angel’

Some 400 prisoners pooled in €1 each to buy the gift for Damian Ebejer, 11, who will eventually lose his fingers and toes. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Sitting quietly in his wheelchair, Damian Ebejer’s angelic blue eyes lit up and his lips curled into a shy smile as he was given a tablet computer bought by prison inmates yesterday.

Some 400 prisoners pooled in €1 each to help brighten up the life of the 11-year-old, who suffers from a condition that gradually leads to his fingers and toes having to be amputated. He is even in danger of losing a foot.

Damian had first visited the Corradino Correctional Facility three years ago and remained in touch with a couple of the inmates, who wrote him letters and sent him Christmas and birthday cards.

Reading out a letter on behalf of his fellow inmates following Mass celebrated at the prison chapel, Emanuel Balzan, better known as Tristan B, referred to the young boy as “an angel of Jesus”.

“People like you fill us with courage. We’ll always keep you in our heart. Thank you for visiting us and we wish you a successful recovery. We hope that by this tablet you can keep remembering us,” he said.

He is such a friendly and sweet-natured boy. I always keep him in my prayers

Damian timidly thanked the prisoners – he later giggled to Times of Malta: “I can’t wait to download some games and put the tablet to use!”

Standing faithfully behind him throughout Mass and the ensuing presentation was Alex Mallia, the 35-year-old inmate who first established contact with Damian three years ago.

“He had given me his address and I remained in touch with him, writing him letters and sending him cards. Sometimes he would phone me or get his brother to write me a letter.

“I can’t help writing to him with some heartache.

“He is such a friendly and sweet-natured boy. I always keep him in my prayers.”

Marking Mother’s Day, the inmates presented a bouquet of flowers to “our mother in here Sister Adele Baldacchino, who has spent 22 years working tirelessly with the occupants of the correctional facility.

Bouquets of flowers were also given to the mother of Fr Franco Fenech, the prison chaplain, and to the wife of prison director Emanuel Camilleri.

In keeping with the spirit of goodwill, Mr Camilleri presented Fr Franco with €2,000 to be used for socio-religious activities.

The money was collected by the staff and inmates during Holy Week fundraising activities.

Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia made another gift to Damian, €150 collected from among his secretariat’s staff.

He welcomed the prisoners’ warm gesture, saying they were sending a message of solidarity to society.

“From the little you have, you gave a lot. There are many outside who have a lot but don’t even give a little.”

He added that he was duty-bound to ensure the prisoners led dignified lives. “I don’t want this to be just a correctional facility but a place where you can fill your time with learning, which will be of great use once you’re out.”

Dr Mallia said he had set up a commission to draw up a report about setting up a professional unit which would offer courses for inmates, such as computer skills or trades. The unit would not be run merely by volunteers but by qualified professionals.