Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici yesterday confirmed in Parliament that a police inspector who was the former Director of Prisons’ deputy was appointed acting director in August 2008 and eventually given the post in June 2011.

Answering a question by Nationalist MP Franco Debono, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said that at the same time the acting appointment was made, there was a magesterial inquiry into the prevalent situation at the Corradino Correctional Facility. This inquiry had to identify shortcomings and make its suggestions to ractify them.

The board made its recommendations in March, 2009 and immediately the ministry formed a task force to see how, where practicable, such recommendations could be implimented.

One of the recommendations was on the organisational structure of the facility, particularly with regard to senior management. The task force delved into such aspects in detail and drew up a structure to address the shortcomings.

Naturally, the minister said,the process was so complex in its very nature that it could not be completed within a few months.

By mid-2010, the proposed structure was consolidated and in December a call or applications to fill the post of Director of Prisons was issued. The official in question was appointed on June 13, 2011.