Correspondence with Ministry for Home Affairs, Security and Employment on Own-Initiative Investigation into Corradino Correctional Facility published
Published May 19, 2025
The Office of the Ombudsman is publishing the correspondence exchanged with the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security and Employment regarding the own-initiative investigation into allegations of systemic maladministration within the Corradino Correctional Facility.
On 31 January 2025, the Ombudsman published a detailed report following the conclusion of an own-initiative investigation into the administration and operational practices at the facility. The report set out a number of recommendations aimed at improving standards, enhancing transparency, and strengthening oversight in the interest of both persons in the correctional facility and the wider public.
Subsequently, on 3 April 2025, the Parliamentary Ombudsman Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon wrote to the Minister for Home Affairs Security and Employment, the Hon. Byron Camilleri requesting a formal response on whether the recommendations outlined in the report would be implemented, and if so, inviting the Ministry to outline the methodology of implementation.
On 16 April 2025, the Minister, responded in a detailed letter outlining the Ministry’s ongoing reform process at the Correctional Services Agency. The Minister referred to significant changes made in the aftermath of the 2021 Grech Inquiry, which preceded and was referenced in the Ombudsman’s report. These included legislative reforms, the establishment of the Commissioner for Prisoners’ Welfare and Development, infrastructural upgrades, investment in rehabilitation programmes, and greater collaboration with civil society and international bodies.
The Ombudsman replied on 17 April 2025, requesting the Ministry’s formal consent to publish both his original letter and the Minister’s response in full, in line with the Office’s commitment to transparency.
On 16 May 2025, after no further response was received, the Ombudsman wrote once more to the Minister, advising that unless circumstances dictated otherwise, the Office would proceed with publication of the full correspondence between the Office of the Ombudsman and the Ministry following the publication of the report, in the interest of transparency and public accountability.
On the same day the Ministry informed the Ombudsman that it had no objection to the publication of this correspondence.
The full exchange of letters is being published.
