A group of prisoners will be sewing the 400 costumes that will be used in the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth summit in November.

They will also be taking care of the new soft furnishings – including curtains – of a number of wards at St Vincent de Paul Residence.

The group of 10 men and five women, all residents at Corradino Correctional Facility, learnt their sartorial skills after taking part in a prison educational project called ‘Love, faith and forgiveness’.

The project, the initiative of designer Mary Grace Pisani, was concluded with an exhibition of 10 professionally-designed curtains sewn by the inmates. The exhibition opened yesterday at the Parliament building, Valletta.

Speaker Anġlu Farrugia said “it meant a lot” that the very first exhibition to be held at the new building was mounted by people who lacked freedom. “You should make good use of your time while in prison,” he told the inmates present for the opening.

Ms Pisani, who launched the project last year, said she felt “she had to pass on what she learnt to others”. There was big interest by the inmates in the course, she noted, adding: “They were very dedicated. They showed great loyalty to their work and really appreciated what they were doing.”

One of the inmates said that, thanks to the course, he was now able to design, create and finish sartorial items. “I’m really happy that I took up this project and I really want to thank the authorities and Ms Pisani for offering it to us. I’m sure it will help me in the future,” he said.

The curtains will be on display at the Parliament building foyer until June 15. Orders will be accepted with 10 per cent of the money raised going to a fund to help the families of victims of crimes under the auspices of the Marigold Foundation, run by the Prime Minister’s wife, Michelle Muscat. Some funds will also be put aside to give to the inmates when they leave prison. The remaining amount will be used for their daily needs in prison.

Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said the government was working on three elements to help in the reintegration of prisoners in society: education, work and sports. “Incorporating these three factors is important as it will help them find jobs when they leave prison,” he said.