[WATCH] New premises for parole officers assisting over 1,000 offenders

New premises for parole officers assisting over 1,000 offenders

New premises inaugurated this morning by Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela will bring all services made available to offenders on probation or parole under one roof.

Enlarged from three rooms to a whole floor with a reception, a waiting area, several counselling rooms, a urine testing room and bigger office space from the employees, the new offices in Marsa house 20 probation and parole officers, four senior officers, two psychologists and a victim liaison officer.

The department – separate from the parole board headed by judge Franco Depasquale – works and follows offenders on probation or parole, designing their plan and offering additional services that help them reintegrate to society.

The department currently supervises over 1,000 offenders and has launched a new anger management programme.

The premises are also equipped with CCTV cameras for safety and security reasons.

“These new premises will allow workers and clients to work together in a more private environment, whilst increasing services offered,” Abela said, explaining that bringing services offered under one roof help reduced the waiting list.

He added, that providing a private and safe environment helped offenders trust their parole or probation officers.