Following the death of an inmate who was admitted into intensive care suffering from a severe chest infection, the Opposition is demanding an explanation from the government.

The Corradino Correctional Facility yesterday confirmed that the condition of another inmate, who was also admitted into ITU, was stable.

On Wednesday, Parliamentary Secretary for Health Chris Fearne told the Opposition in Parliament that the two had been admitted to hospital after a flu outbreak which also affected eight other prisoners.

Mr Fearne told Beppe Fenech Adami and Claudette Buttigieg that the flu claimed victims in Malta and abroad, and that was why the government offered free vaccination to everyone – including prisoners.

Public Health officials found that 10 inmates were suffering from influenza on Tuesday, and some of them were isolated to avoid a spread after they were administered anti-viral medication.

However, Dr Fenech Adami yesterday demanded an explanation from the government about what was going on at CCF.

“Minister Carmelo Abela should stop trying to hide what is really happening at CCF and immediately inform people about any flu or other infective disease spreading among inmates,” Dr Fenech Adami said.

He added that, on Wednesday, the minister tried to mislead the media by denying that two prisoners at ITU had suffered an overdose when he knew that they were in intensive care suffering from some illness.

It was only after the Opposition tabled questions in Parliament that Parliamentary Secretary Fearne first spoke about the worrying situation.

The government needed to be clear as its silence was worrying prisoners, staff and their families, Dr Fenech Adami said.