The main objective of the visit was to examine the treatment and conditions of detention of persons held in prison and in immigration detention, as well as the treatment and safeguards afforded to persons detained by law enforcement agencies. To this end, the CPT’s delegation reviewed the measures taken by the Maltese authorities to implement recommendations made by the Committee after its previous visits in 2015 and 2020. The delegation examined the situation at Corradino Prison Facility, the Centre of Residential Restorative Services, Safi Detention Centre, Hal Far Reception Centre (“China House”), Marsa Initial Reception Centre, Dar il-Liedna, Floriana and Gozo Custody Centres, as well as visiting several police establishments across the country.
In the course of the visit, the delegation met with Minister Byron Camilleri, Minister for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality to discuss its findings. It also met Angelo Gafa, Commissioner of Police, Malcolm Cutajar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the International Protection Agency (IPA) and Commissioner for Refugees, Christopher Siegersma, CEO of the Correctional Services Agency, Kyle Mifsud, CEO of the Detention Services Agency (DSA), and Clayton Xuereb, CEO of the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers (AWAS). In addition, the delegation held consultations with senior officials from the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality and its agencies, including from the Directorate of Policy Development and Programme Implementation, the Migration Unit, AWAS, IPA, DSA, the Probation and Parole Directorate, as well as senior officers from Malta Police Force (Immigration Police).
The delegation also met Steve Libreri, Commissioner for Inmates Welfare and Development, Antoinette Vassallo, Commissioner for Children, and Judge Emeritus Franco Depasquale, Chairman of the Independent Police Complaints Board. Further, meetings were held with the Boards of Visitors for Detention and of the Prisons, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) and representatives of civil society bodies active in areas of concern to the CPT. Consultations were also held with the UNHCR Malta office.
At the end of the visit, the delegation presented its preliminary findings to the Maltese authorities.
The visit was carried out by the following members of the CPT:
- Jari Pirjola (Head of delegation)
- Nico Hirsch
- Gordan Kalajdjiev
- Karin Rowhani-Wimmer
They were supported by Francesca Gordon of the CPT's Secretariat and assisted by Kate Wood, medical doctor (expert).
The delegation visited the following establishments:
Police establishments
- Floriana Custody Centre, Police General Headquarters
- Custody Centre, Police Department, Victoria, Gozo
- Custody Centre, Malta International Airport
- Financial Crimes Investigation Department
- The Courts of Justice – Holding cells
- Hamrun Police Station
Prison facilities
- Corradino Correctional Facility
- Centre of Residential Restorative Services (CoRRS) (juveniles)
Immigration facilities
- Safi Detention Centre
- Hal Far Reception Centre (“China House”)
- Marsa Initial Reception Centre
- Dar Il Liedna (asylum seeking juveniles)