A magisterial inquiry has been launched after an inmate, Jason Decelis, 37, claimed he was “severely beaten” when he refused a guard’s order to urinate on his cell's floor. 

The Home Affairs Ministry said that after investigations by the prison authorities, a police report was filed and a Magisterial inquiry was ordered.

Attempts to contact Mr Decelis, proved futile, however, his father, Carmel, said the correctional officer had ordered his son to urinate on his cell’s floor instead of using the toilet in an act of “bullying”. This, his father said, was a form of “psychological abuse”.

Mr Decelis is serving a 25-year-prison sentence for the murder by omission of 18-year-old Rachel Bowdler. Ms Bowdler’s lifeless body was found in a field near Mġarr, on May 13, 2001. She was placed there after losing consciousness from a heroin overdose while she and Jason Decelis were in his mother's flat in Buġibba. 

Mr Decelis was last week also charged with conspiracy to traffic drugs in Corradino prison. 

More in Times of Malta tomorrow.