Corradino Correctional Facility lacked a proper command and control system for years and management was poor at all levels, a report published yesterday concluded.
The report, written by a board appointed by Home Affairs Minister Emanuel Mallia, recommended disciplinary action against seven employees who repeatedly left work early.
Dr Mallia had made a surprise visit to the prison on April 7 and found some employees who were meant to be on duty were absent.
Their names were deleted from the report.
It spoke of serious mismanagement and a free-for-all among employees, with some practices of leaving early having been in place for years.
The board found no collusion between prison employees on this abuse, saying the state of affairs was a systematic practice.
The report has been given to the new acting prison director, Raymond Zammit, for implementation. Mr Zammit replaced Abraham Zammit, who resigned soon after the minister’s visit.