Female inmates try their hand at sewing

Eleven female residents at the Corradino Correctional Facility have taken up sewing and will be making further use of their newfound passion as work is set to start coming as from next week.

A brainchild of fashion designer Mary Grace Pisani, the eleven residents learned how to sew curtains in a matter of weeks: the course started in January, twice a week for two hours each.

The 11 residents who applied – majority foreigners – were taught by Pisani how to sketch and to sew and will now be subcontracted by private companies. The residents will be paid for their work, monies which will be transferred into a bank account accessible once they are released from prison.

Together with Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia and Social Policy Minister Michael Farrugia, the prime minister’s wife Michelle Muscat visited the inmates and awarded certificates to the 11 women.

As chairwoman of the Marigold Foundation, Muscat also donated two sewing machines to the RISE Foundation to be used by the inmates. Launched in 2014 and supported by the Bank of Valletta, Marigold Foundation offers support to NGOs.

“CCF must serve as a rehabilitation centre and teach residents skills to help break down barriers they will face as they attempt to integrate themselves in society,” Muscat said.

Muscat applauded the work carried out by her friend Mary Grace Pisani “who made use of her talents to help others”.

 She went on to encourage Maltese residents to participate and take up different courses being organised by CCF.

One of two Maltese inmates who took up the sewing course admitted that she had been surprised by her own work

“We learnt everything from scratch, starting off by sketching designs and shading. I didn’t know I could ever manage to do it… it is something that gives satisfaction,” 35-year-old Shirley Micallef told MaltaToday.

She now looked forward to continue sewing, maybe even taking up the profession once she leaves CCF. Mother of an 11-year-old child, Micallef said it was a relief knowing she was being given an opportunity to do something for the future.

Even 23-year-old Weronika Jakubowska, who has already studied English, Maths and Physics while here, has taken up the sewing course now.

The home affairs minister said government was committed to ensuring that CCF becomes a truly rehabilitation facility. “Time is the inmates’ worst enemy. But with the various courses we are now offering, residents have the opportunity to prepare themselves before they rejoin society,” he said.