Government spends €2 million in drug rehabilitation scheme for inmates until 2027

Government has committed nearly €2 million to extend a prison-based rehabilitation programme until 2027, aimed at helping inmates overcome drug addiction and reintegrate into society.

A statement Friday said that government is continuing to strengthen its policy towards effective and dignified rehabilitation for persons in prison, with an expenditure of nearly €2 million that will extend until 2027 in the programme known as the Persons In Prison Therapeutic Community, run in collaboration with Caritas Malta.

The programme is delivered in a home-like community setting in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq and aims to better prepare inmates to reintegrate into society free from drug dependency.

The announcement was made during the signing of a new agreement that builds on ongoing work which has already led to life-changing outcomes for hundreds of individuals who entered prison with drug addiction, the statement said.

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said that the investment forms part of a broader vision for a justice system that goes beyond punishment and places rehabilitation at its core.

He said that the prison is now drug-free, describing this as a key factor in enabling genuine rehabilitation by ensuring order and a suitable environment.

He acknowledged the reality faced by individuals who enter prison with drug dependency, stressing the need to support them in overcoming addiction and starting a rehabilitative path.

Camilleri said that the new agreement reflects a continued commitment to ensuring prison is not merely a place of punishment, but an environment where real rehabilitation can take place.

“We want every person in prison to have a real opportunity to rebuild their life and return to society as a better citizen,” he said.

He also said that the change in the programme’s name – from Prison Inmates Programme to Persons In Prison Therapeutic Community – better reflects its purpose as a therapeutic centre where lives are being transformed in a concrete and sustainable way.

Camilleri said that drug addiction affects not only the individual but also families and society at large, stressing that such programmes are crucial to breaking the cycle.

While acknowledging that rehabilitation is not easy, he said that successful cases clearly demonstrate the value of these initiatives.

He also pointed to broader efforts underway at the Kordin Correctional Facility, including continued investment in professionals, multidisciplinary teams, and improved conditions to safeguard the dignity of inmates.

Initiatives such as learning hubs and workshops were also highlighted, offering training and skills to support reintegration.

Camilleri said that while rehabilitation efforts are being strengthened, government remains committed to supporting victims through the Victim Support Agency.

Caritas Malta director Anthony Gatt expressed appreciation for the continued collaboration with the Home Affairs Ministry and the Correctional Services Agency in delivering the programme.

He described the initiative as a clear example of concrete commitment to rehabilitation within the correctional system, benefiting not only individuals but also their families and society as a whole.

Gatt added that the investment promotes dignity and demonstrates solidarity with those facing challenges related to addiction.

Gatt also said that Caritas Malta remains committed to supporting individuals and their families even after completion of the programme through its aftercare services, as part of the organisation’s wider chain of support.

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