Malta’s Prisons: A Call for Reform
Prison Reform in Malta: A Conversation with Alex Borg
Imagine walking through the gates of Corradino Correctional Facility, Malta’s largest prison, and instead of the usual grim atmosphere, you’re greeted by the scent of fresh herbs and the sight of inmates tending to a thriving garden. This isn’t a scene from a utopian prison drama, but a vision for Malta’s correctional facilities proposed by Alex Borg, a man with over two decades of experience in the field.
Borg, a seasoned prison officer and now a prominent voice in prison reform, believes that prisons should be places of rehabilitation, not just punishment. “We need to shift our mindset,” he says, “from locking people up and throwing away the key, to locking them up and giving them the tools to change their lives.”
Prison Life: A Day in the Life of an Inmate
Malta’s prisons are home to around 600 inmates, serving sentences ranging from a few months to life. Despite the diversity in crimes and sentences, their daily lives follow a similar routine. They wake up early, queue for breakfast, attend work or education programs, and return to their cells in the evening. But is this routine enough to prepare them for life outside?
Borg argues that it’s not. “We need to make prison life more reflective of the real world. Inmates should have more responsibility, more choices, and more opportunities for growth.” He envisions a system where inmates have a say in the running of the prison, where they can learn new skills, and where they can maintain ties with their families and communities.
Rehabilitation: More Than Just a Word
Rehabilitation is a buzzword in prison reform, but Borg believes it’s more than just a catchphrase. “It’s about giving inmates the tools to change their lives,” he says. “That means education, vocational training, therapy, and practical life skills.” He points to successful programs in other countries, like Norway’s Halden Prison, where inmates have access to extensive education and therapy programs, and even a recording studio.
Closer to home, Borg looks to the prison farm in Ħaġar Qim, where inmates tend to crops and livestock. “This is a perfect example of how prison can be used to rehabilitate,” he says. “Inmates learn new skills, they’re outdoors, they’re working with their hands. It’s good for their mental health, and it benefits the community too.”
But Borg isn’t just talking about grand schemes. He’s also pushing for small changes that can make a big difference. “We need to make prisons more humane,” he says. “That means better conditions, more visits from family and friends, and more opportunities for inmates to maintain their dignity.”
: A New Vision for Maltese Prisons
Borg’s vision for Maltese prisons is ambitious, but it’s not unachievable. He points to the success of the prison farm in Ħaġar Qim as proof that change is possible. “We have the potential to transform our prisons,” he says. “But it’s going to take political will, and it’s going to take public support.”
That’s why Borg is taking his message to the streets, speaking at public events and engaging with the community. He believes that if people understand the benefits of prison reform – for inmates, for their families, and for society as a whole – they’ll be more likely to support it.
As we wrap up our conversation, Borg looks out towards the sea, towards the horizon where the prison farm lies. “We have a chance here,” he says, “to do something truly transformative. To make our prisons places of hope, not just punishment. To give people a chance to change their lives, and to contribute to our society. That’s what prison should be. That’s what prison can be.”
