A proposed scheme for homeless inmates to spend the last couple of months of their sentence out of prison and in a “halfway house” is being considered “positively” by the Justice Ministry.

The potential homelessness of former inmates is an issue that must be addressed

The idea, mooted by Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem, is to offer these prisoners something of a transition between Corradino and society and the ministry is “open to suggestions and a healthy debate on the issue”.

Corradino Correctional Facility’s spiritual director Fr Francco Fenech has suggested that selected prisoners, who would have been monitored, should be obliged to spend the last couple of months of their jail term in a residence for the homeless, rather than being referred to it on their last day in prison.

He believes that before they finish serving their sentence, they should move to the “open” house, where their issues would be tackled by professionals and they could start seeking a job and inserting themselves into society

A spokesman for the Justice Ministry said it viewed the foundation’s proposal positively.

It has been considering the possibility of introducing a scheme of a similar nature for some time given that the “potential homelessness of former inmates is an issue that must be addressed”.

In the past, the ministry has partnered with the foundation on initiatives of common interest, such as the running of the Marsa Open Centre for Immigrants, and was actively working on the necessary measures to implement the Restorative Justice Act, which is currently in Parliament, the spokesman said.

He pointed out, however, that various instruments and models could be used to implement the scheme and “particular attention is needed, especially with regard to security issues, ensuring adequate safeguards and strong warranties against possible abuse”.

Fr Fenech had dismissed the risk of abuse, or even escape, saying the prisoners would have nothing to gain from doing so and they would be obliged to stay in the home for the remainder of their sentence even though it had an open-door policy. He is eager to develop the programme that would transfer eligible inmates to Dar Patri Leopoldo, which caters for the homeless.