A foundation which was set up to help inmates reintegrate in society is hoping to break the chain that often puts their children and grandchildren behind bars. Sarah Carabott spoke to the founders, Fr Franco Fenech and Charlie Mifsud.

Some of the current inmates at Corradino Correctional Facility (CCF) were also there 35 years ago, not because they were handed a life sentence but because they are repeat offenders, according to Charlie Mifsud, a former prison director and founder of the Rise Foundation.

“There are also people in prison whose fathers and grandfathers were former inmates – some nicknames in prison are inherited through generations.”

Fr Franco Fenech

Mr Mifsud, accompanied by Fr Fenech, was speaking at the foundation’s premises in St Christ­opher Street, Valletta, just a few blocks away from a seven-storey building that is being refurbished to house inmates serving the last year of their term.

Named after Sister Marija Adele Baldacchino, who has been working with inmates at CCF for the past 22 years and is known as the “prisoners’ mother”, the residence will be home to 10 people following Rise’s rehabilitation programme.

Inmates eligible for the “tough” programme are those serving a sentence of at least 18 months because leave for such a programme is only granted when inmates are into their seventh month in prison.

The foundation already has a service called Reach Out to inform those on bail or appeal about the programme before they even step into CCF.

Charlie Mifsud

Once inmates fill in a form stating why they believe they need the rehabilitation programme, they are assessed by professionals. A board, made up of representatives of the foundation, CCF and the Family Ministry, then make the final decision.

The house is being refurbished and the works will cost about €100,000. Apart from having security personnel, CCTV cameras will be installed.

Once at the house, the inmates will do all the housework and take life skills and anger management classes, among others. The programme will focus on reintegration, meaning the inmates will have to become employable and eventually find a job.

“ETC and the private sector are already on board. We held meetings to understand why former inmates did not manage to keep their jobs so we can make sure the ones following the programme do not repeat those mistakes,” Mr Mifsud said.

True justice is also making sure people don’t return to jail

Reintegration also means getting back on good terms with relatives and socialising.

The residents will be taken out on short visits to museums, walks or a cup of coffee. Once they return to the house, their mentor will point out problematic behaviour, like taunting passers-by or being too embarrassed to speak up for themselves.

The programme will include meeting with representatives of Victim Support Malta to understand the repercussions of their past actions.

“There will be dropouts, for sure, and these will have to return to CCF. However, hopefully, the initial assessments will identify prospective dropouts and we’ll be able to prevent that,” said Mr Mifsud, who worked at CCF 35 years ago.

Together with Fr Fenech, Mr Mifsud has visited a similar foundation in The Netherlands called ‘Exodus’, which, over the past 30 years, has opened 11 similar residences.

They are hopeful the programme will cut down the “worrying high number of relapsers”.

Fr Fenech, who has worked at CCF for the past 12 years, has met numerous determined inmates who vow they will not return but, unfortunately, fall back into the vicious cycle that put them behind bars.

About 43 per cent of Maltese inmates are repeat offenders – one of the highest in Europe – and most of the crimes are theft and fraud, apart from drug-related offences.

“There was this woman who came knocking on my door, baby in arms, inquiring what to do to be able to feed both of them instead of returning to prostitution.

“Once out of prison, many find themselves in a worse prison. Totally isolated, they contact friends and frequent places that lead them to more crimes and, therefore, more victims.

“If we’re not going to give these people a chance, we’re forcing them to return to the same path that led them to prison,” Fr Fenech pointed out.

Whether in prison or following Rise’s programme, those serving time need to be fed, looked after and provided with resources.

“The only difference is that at this house we’ll also be giving them the proverbial fishing rod,” Mr Mifsud said.

Reducing criminality not only improves security in society but helping out people with regard to social issues and eases the burden on the welfare system, as they contribute financially if they manage to become employable. It also prevents an increase in the number of victims.

“If we manage to save at least one in 10, what he gives back to society will cover some of the expenses caused by the other nine.

“True justice for society is not just imprisoning people but also making sure they don’t return to jail,” he said.