Inmates jotted down yesterday’s date in their diaries in block letters, marking the first step that will eventually see them walk out of prison as better people, according to former inmate Silvio Catania.

He was addressing President George Abela, Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia and Archbishop Paul Cremona at the official inauguration of the offices of RISe (Rehabilitation in Society) Foundation.

The foundation, which aims to help prisoners develop a useful and self-sufficient way of life, was set up four months ago by Corradino Correctional Facility chaplain Fr Franco Fenech and Fondazzjoni Dar Suret il-Bniedem coordinator Charles Mifsud.

The sleek offices in Valletta, which were refurbished by five inmates who have worked tirelessly for the past five weeks, will serve as the foundation’s headquarters.

The next step would be setting up a transitional living facility where prisoners serving the final year of their sentence may enrol in a programme run by a team of psychologists and social workers.

75%

the percentage of inmates who are repeat offenders

“I can’t express how important this is to us. We really needed it,” inmate Mario Borg told Times of Malta.

The 38-year-old, who is half-way through his 14-year-sentence, helped renovate the offices by laying the electricity and water supplies – skills that he acquired while in prison.

He explained that most convicts walk out of prison jobless and homeless. The foundation will help endow their lives with a sense of purpose and help them move away from criminality.

It will also help them find a job and a place to live.

Dr Abela noted that 75 per cent of inmates were repeat offenders.

He invited society to reflect on its treatment of inmates once they leave their cells.

“Without a job and a home in a hostile society not ready to give them a second chance, isn’t there a very large possibility that they’ll fall back into a life of criminality?”

“What is the responsibility of the Government, the Church and of us all?”

The half-way home will be offering an intensive programme and allow them to successfully reintegrate themselves into society.

The President said this chance will not be offered to everyone but to the most deserving, adding that residents living in the Valletta street should not be frightened of them. The participants will be carefully chosen, having shown their willingness to change their lives during their incarceration.

He hoped that the programme would help slash the rate of repeat offenders by 25 to 30 per cent.

Dr Mallia said that he was currently going through the first report presented to him by the commission tasked with examining the correctional facility.

He reiterated his desire of offering inmates “a menu of courses” that they could sign up for during their time behind bars.

A director responsible for their education will be appointed.

He also referred to the possibility of having a building similar to a factory where the inmates could report for work each day.

The minister also added that dogs are being trained in a bid to tackle the drug problem. They will be kept outside the facility.