A growing prison population is causing overcrowding problems,an NGO which works for the prisoners said this evening.

Mid-Dlam għad-Dawl Foundation said it wanted to deplore the current situation, describing the situation in some of the divisions as 'degrading'.

"Because of the lack of space, owing to the ever increasing prison population, a number of dormitories have been set up in parts of the prison.

"One of these, of approximately 48 square metres, is shared by 16 inmates with bunk beds on top of each other and with most of them pushed side by side together. These prisoners have at their disposal small cupboards which cannot be locked. with the result of many heated arguments have ensued due to pilfering," the foundation said.

"Most of the clothes belonging to these inmates are kept in plastic bags thrown together in a small space nearby.

"For their use these inmates have to make do with just one toilet.

"In one other section of the prison, due to lack of space, some prisoners have to sleep in the corridor, and in another on a mattress on the floor."

The foundation also complained of the cold and said current conditions were below national and European standards.

"Prisoners lose their liberty when they are imprisoned, but should not lose their dignity," the foundation said.