The Government yesterday announced its intention to grant an amnesty to prisoners.

It will be granted to mark the Labour Party’s election to government at the March 9 election.

Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia made the announcement when addressing about 500 inmates who assembled in the courtyard of the Corradino Correctional Facility for an evening of celebrations to mark the record-breaking Christmas log made by inmates and prison staff last December.

Dr Mallia said the event sent a message that, given the opportunity, inmates could make Malta proud, referring to the recognition by the Guinness Book of Records.

“I’ve just informed Parliament about my intention to grant an amnesty,” he told the inmates. They all stood up and started clapping and shouting “Taghna Lkoll”, the election slogan used by the Labour Party.

Speaking to the media later, Dr Mallia said further details on the amnesty would be announced today after making a ministerial statement in Parliament.

Earlier in the day, sources said that the amnesty would not apply to people convicted of violent and dangerous crimes such as murder, rape and paedophilia.

Amnesties can be granted according to the Constitution of Malta. The last amnesty was given on the occasion of the new millennium and, since then, prisoners have made regular appeals for amnesties, which were never upheld.

Such occasions included the second visit to Malta by Pope John Paul II in 2001, EU accession in 2004, the 2007 canonisation of Saint Ġorġ Preca and Pope Benedict XVI’s visit in 2010.

Over the years, amnesties were granted following a change in government.

In fact, an amnesty was granted when Labour was elected in 1996. The 1996 amnesty specified that it did not apply to criminals convicted of serious crimes.

In 1987, an amnesty was also granted when the Nationalist Party was elected after 16 years in Opposition.

A few months earlier, President Agatha Barbara granted an amnesty that had long-lasting repercussions. People who committed a crime before the amnesty was granted benefited from a reduced punishment, even if this was handed down years later.

That amnesty was granted following significant constitutional changes that included introducing the neutrality clause and amendments that ensured the political party winning the highest number of votes would enjoy a majority of seats in Parliament.

Amnesties throughout recent history

Date President Reason Conditions
January 1987 Agatha Barbara Constitutional changes One month removed from each year in jail
May 1987 Paul Xuereb (Acting) Nationalist Party elected to government Two months removed for each year in jail
May 1989 Ċensu Tabone Appointment of new President Reduction of two to seven months, depending on length of jail term
September 1989 Ċensu Tabone 25th anniversary of Malta’s Independence Reduction of two to seven months, depending on length of jail term
May 1990 Ċensu Tabone Visit of Pope John Paul II One month removed for each year in jail
May 1992 Ċensu Tabone 50th anniversary of George Cross awarded to Malta Two months removed from each year in jail
December 1996 Ugo Mifsud Bonnici Labour Party elected to government One month removed for each year in jail. Not applicable to all.
December 1999 Guido de Marco The millennium One month removed for each year in jail.

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