Inmates’ breathalyser test ‘does not reflect alcohol consumption’

Breathalyser tests carried out on two Corradino inmates whom Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi alleged were ‘out drinking’ while on community work for the Hamrun local council, “do not reflect alcohol consumption”, according to forensic expert Mario Scerri.

Controversy erupted last week when the shadow home affairs minister alleged on Facebook that the two prisoners had skived community work and instead were spotted at a bar drinking at the Hamrun feast.

While the Ministry for Home Affairs denied the allegations, Azzopardi stood by his claims and in a subsequent Facebook post, said six prison wardens were present when breathalyser tests carried out on the two men marked 0.10 micrograms and 0.15 micrograms respectively.

“The results should have shown 0 micrograms,” Azzopardi insisted, pushing the point that the inmates should not have been consuming any form of alcohol while on community work.

But the government is resting on the opinion of forensic expert Mario Scerri to contradict Azzopardi’s allegations that the two prisoners were ‘drunk’ as a result of the level of alcohol found on their breath.

MaltaToday was presented with e-mail correspondence between Scerri and a spokeswoman for the Home Affairs Ministry after the latter sought advice on the matter from the forensic expert.

Scerri argued that the levels registered were too low to reflect alcohol consumption.

In the exchange of emails, the spokeswoman asked Scerri to interpret the results registered by the two prisoners.

“These levels are too low and do not reflect alcohol consumption.  Alcohol on the breath is measured in micrograms per 100ml,” Scerri explained.

On the other end of the extreme, the drink-driving limit is 35mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

The ministry has reiterated that the two prisoners did not go to the Hamrun feast but were at the Tarxien local council doing community work. “Minister Manuel Mallia is committed to reform the Corradino Correctional Facility as to truly reflect a rehabilitation facility,” the spokeswoman said.

“This is not the first time that the shadow minister, to undermine government institutions, made hasty comments without first verifying them.”

The spokeswoman added that Tarxien mayor Joseph Abela and the two prisoners had signed an affidavit declaring that the prisoners completed their works and returned to CCF. “The prisoners categorically denied going to the feast and drinking alcohol, even when warned they could lose up to a year from their remission if caught lying,” the spokeswoman said.

According to the PN media, one of the prisoners is serving a seven-year sentence while the second is serving a 17-year prison sentence. From time to time, prisoners are granted prison leave.