The President has urged inmates to give something back to society once they are released.

As she toured the cells and common areas of the Corradino Correctional Facility in Paola yesterday morning, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said: “I am also the President of this prison’s inmates.

“I urge them to not only shoulder their responsibility for their disrepute to society but also to reform to be able to give something back to society. They cannot forget that their misbehaviour has hurt innocent people.”

There are some 590 inmates at Corradino and 43 per cent are repeat offenders.

Accompanied by Deputy Police Commissioner Ray Zammit and representatives from three NGOs  Mid-Dlam Għad-Dawl, Rise and Prison Fellowship  the President was briefed about recent changes in the prisons. This includes increased psychosocial support for prisoners who are about to be released so they could integrate better within the community.

Another improvement was the opening of a music and arts room. This was not only important for the inmates to vent their anger and bitterness, but also helped them develop their artistic and cultural traits, Mrs Coleiro Preca said.

The President said she has been in discussions with the NGOs about the needs not just of inmates but also of their relatives and the victims.

One of the pillars of the Malta Community Chest Fund was to cater for the needs of poor people and it often supported families of inmates who sunk into poverty.

Some inmates ended up in poverty once they were released and better coordination between the prison management and the NGOs could help solve some of these issues, the President added.