Prison inmates are being offered 35 formal and informal learning opportunities under a new programme which starts next month, the Ministry of Home Affairs said today 

Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela discussed training opportunities at a conference on education for adolescent and adult women in prison, ‘Finding Education for Female Inmates’, conducted by 10 partners from eight European countries, including the University of Malta.

Mr Abela said that a third of the prison population, which is 93% male and 7% female, took part in one of the organised learning opportunities in the last scholastic year.  

He said the correction facility had strengthened its links with the University, Mcast, and the Institute for Tourism Studies and 15 inmates had followed courses there.  

Non-formal education has become popular among inmates and retention rates were satisfactory.

He observed that a  significant number of inmates struggle with basic literacy and numeracy, an area which is now being given importance.

Recruitment is currently underway for psychologists, social workers and care-plan coordinators.