Council of Europe anti-torture committee finds major shortcomings in Corradino prison

The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) today published its report on its September 2011 visit to Malta, together with the Maltese authorities' response.

The visit mainly focused on Corradino Correctional Facility, the only prison in Malta. In certain parts of the prison, material conditions of detention had significantly improved since the CPT's previous visit in 2008. However, major shortcomings were found once again in several other areas of the establishment, in particular, as regards the state of repair of cells and access to natural light.

The situation was further exacerbated by the prevailing overcrowding and the lack of organised activities for many prisoners. The CPT has recommended in particular that a comprehensive plan to renovate the entire prison be drawn up as soon as possible.

As in 2008, the overwhelming majority of prisoners indicated that they were treated by prison officers in a correct manner. But the delegation did receive some allegations of physical ill-treatment, such as slaps or punche,  and verbal abuse, including of a racist nature, of prisoners by prison officers.

The CPT welcomes the fact that renovation of the entire Division 4, which was ongoing at the time of the 2008 visit, had been completed. Another improvement was the installation of a call system in the cells of the high-security unit (Division 6), as recommended by the Committee after the 2008 visit, and the refurbishment of the shower facilities in Division However, the Committee was very concerned by the fact that none of the many other specific recommendations made after the 2008 visit regarding material conditions were implemented. Moreover, in several parts of the CCF, material conditions have clearly deteriorated since the last visit, in particular in terms of state of repair, and the situation has been further exacerbated by the prevailing overcrowding.

"By way of example, many cells intended to be used for single occupancy were accommodating two prisoners and that without adequate partitioning of the toilet in the cell. The most precarious situation was observed in cells nos. 7 (Division 13) and 28 (Division 12). In each cell, which measured only about 6 metres squared and had no window, two prisoners were being held. The CPT must stress that these cells are not suitable for use as prisoner accommodation."

Further, a new temporary detention area (Division 15) had been created by converting a large activity room into a dormitory with 19 beds, which was regularly used as an accommodation area for foreign prisoners (17 at the time of the visit). "If Division 15 remains in operation in the future, it would in the CPT's view be desirable for it to be primarily used to accommodate persons serving very short terms."

The CPT said ,aterial conditions "were quite simply appalling in Division 6" where most of the cells, intended to be used for single occupancy only, were accommodating two inmates.

"There was hardly any access to natural light, and access to both artificial lighting and ventilation were poor. The cells were only equipped with one bed and another mattress, placed on the floor (and a blanket for each inmate), and an unpartitioned floor toilet. In addition, the toilet flush did not work in some of the cells."

The CPT also carried out follow-up visits to Lyster and Safi Barracks, the only two detention centres for foreigners which were operational at the time of the visit. In its report, the Committee expresses concern about the frequency and seriousness of allegations received from foreign nationals about the force used by soldiers and police officers in the context of disturbances which had occurred in August 2011 at the Safi Detention Centre; it has recommended that a comprehensive inquiry by an independent body be carried out into this matter.

At the Lyster Detention Centre, the CPT observed improvements both in terms of material conditions and activities provided to foreign nationals. However, the conditions under which foreign nationals were being held in the two Warehouses at Safi Barracks remained very poor. Further, in both detention centres, the health-care services were clearly insufficient.

Following a brief visit to Mount Carmel Psychiatric Hospital, the CPT has expressed serious misgivings about the manner in which agitated or suicidal patients had on occasion been managed. It has also made a number of specific recommendations to improve living conditions in the Forensic Ward and the Ward for Irregular Migrants.