Ex-inmate’s overdose is ‘nobody’s and everybody’s fault’

The Malta Independent online
06 April 2010



by Elaine Attard

A former prisoner’s death due to an overdose just a few hours after he was out of prison is nobody’s and everybody’s fault, said a spokesperson from NGO Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl (MDD) when contacted after the NGO issued a statement highlighting the problem of overcrowding in prison.

The prison services offer a limited number of rehabilitation programmes for convicted drug abusers, he said. Drug abuse is rife in prison yet just a few receive the necessary help to overcome their addiction, he added.

Prisoners should receive help from their first day in prison and not on their last day, he added while stressing although most prison officials have the will to help prisoners they lack the resources.

In its statement, the NGO said that the death of the young drug addicted prisoner is a human tragedy, which generates a number of questions on what is really happening within prison.

Despite the work done by those managing and working inside the prison the system is failing. Instead of reforming and improving the prisoner’s outlook on life, the system is in many cases increasing their problems. The prison is overcrowded and for the first time, some prisoners have to share a prison cell.

MDD appealed for effective reforms to help prisoners prepare themselves for life outside prison. The current situation allows the prison authorities to focus solely on the daily running of prison. There is a need for trained staff and prisoner empowering programmes to enable prison to reform inmates and not worsen their condition.

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=104122