Corradino Correctional Facility will start its ‘education year’ next month with over 35 formal and informal learning opportunities for inmates.

Last year, six inmates participated in formal education courses by Mcast, ITS and the university. This year the number more than doubled to 15, including three women. The courses go up to diploma level.

Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said a third of the prison population had followed one of the learning opportunities offered over the past year. He said there had to be an increase in professional staff and programmes should be personalised and appropriate to the needs of inmates.

Psychologists, social workers and care-plan coordinators would provide a sentence plan programme, meeting the biopsychosocial necessities of each inmate, he said.

“It is crucial for inmates to understand that time spent in a correctional facility in a rehabilitative way can serve as a tool in their fight against stigma and to gain reintegration,” Mr Abela said.