No bail for prisoners sentenced for crimes that destabilise state - Farrugia

Speaking in Parliament on Monday evening, he called for the granting of parole to all offenders who were medically certified with terminal illnesses and less than a year to live and that only prisoners sentenced for crimes that destabilise the state should be denied parole.

Speaking during the debate in second reading of the Bill, Farrugia observed the Bill is liberal in its thinking, and added that legislators should safeguard what is best for society, even though the public sentiment is set against the granting of parole.

He said legislators have an obligation to establish objective guidelines on what benefits society in the long run, giving offenders the chance to reform and reintegrate in society effectively and in a lasting manner.

Pointing out that the majority of offenders are relapsers, Farrugia professed that he believed in the parole system, but such a system requires “professional” handling in a “transparent” and “fair” manner so as to eliminate any potential suspicion of discrimination.

During his address, Farrugia also said all prisoners should qualify for remission automatically because it was a legal right. Offenders who had infringed prison regulations only had to appear before the Offenders’ Assessment Board to qualify for remission.

He maintained that offenders sentenced to a prison term of less than two years also had a right to parole. Most of these cases involved persons who committed offences because of their uncontrolled temperamental behaviour, he said, emphasising that it is “important” that these people be helped to control the behaviour.

Farrugia also called for changes in how various boards, which form part of the judicial process, are set up. He said that retired police officers should not form part of these boards, as they might have formed part of the judicial process when still on the force.