The passing out parade of 64 correctional officers was held  this morning  at the police academy in Ta' Kandja.

Apart from the normal security duties, this group of officers will be also involved in the correctional aspect of inmates, assisting them to learn a trade.

For this reason, candidates lacking the minimum academic entry requirements could still apply, if they possessed qualifications in certain trades.  

In total, 50 candidates without 'O' level qualifications graduated at the end of a six-week course, for which some 500 candidates had applied. Their trades include air conditioning maintenance, plumbing, electricians, carpentry, masonry, sheet metal, welding, mechanics, upholstery and tailors.

During their course, the new officers were trained in fire fighting, first aid and basic criminology.

Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela, who presided the ceremony, remarked that such training was part of their mission to aid inmates to reform themselves.

He said that the road ahead would be tough, while urging the newly-graduated officers not to give in to pressures and keep strong when they would be put to the test.

Mr Abela said that the shift from prison warders to correctional officers was not only cosmetic, but a change in approach with more emphasis on prisoners' rehabilitation. For this reason more social workers, psychologists and for the first time ever care plan coordinators would be employed, the minister said.

"This is no ordinary job as part of your mission will be to ensure that inmates reform themselves by the time they serve their sentence," he remarked.