Ombudsman asked to investigate excessive heat at Malta’s prison facility

The Ombudsman has been asked to investigate the health and rehabilitation impact of excessive heat at Malta’s prison.

The request, submitted by university academic Andrew Azzopardi on Monday, highlighted persistent reports received by him personally, as well as those emerging in the media, from prisoners, their family members, and individuals familiar with the conditions in the establishment.

He insisted “this matter to be treated as one of urgency,” as the intensity of heat events is of “increasing frequency.”

Directed towards the Office of the Ombudsman through the Commissioner for Health, Ray Galea, it showed concerns raised, especially in light of physical and mental health issues which may emerge due to excessive heat.

The evidence presented linked high temperatures to poor sleep, increased irritability, aggression, and impulsive behaviour.

“These effects are particularly concerning in correctional settings, where many inmates have pre-existing mental health conditions,” Azzopardi said, whilst pointing also to those who take medication that may reduce the body's ability to regulate heat, making them more vulnerable to heat-related illness.

These issues were pointed out to also undermine prisoners' ability to participate effectively in rehabilitation programmes.

Referring to the claims above, Andrew Azzopardi called for an investigation into whether prison conditions, including high temperatures, humidity, poor ventilation, and limited cooling, meet public health standards, and whether extreme heat is affecting inmates’ health and wellbeing.

Reference was also made to an earlier public assurance back in 2004, where Prison Director Chris Siegersma insisted the Correctional Services Agency was exploring ways to improve conditions and address the issue of excessive heat.

However, Azzopardi argued despite these assurances, reports suggest the problem remains a significant concern for inmates.

The request enclosed several recommendations, including the creation of a multidisciplinary inspection team to assess prison conditions, continuous monitoring of temperature and humidity levels during summer, and heat-health risk assessments for vulnerable inmates.

To conclude, it also called for national standards on ventilation, cooling, hydration, and heat emergency management, as well as the publication of all the investigation’s findings, recommendations, and implementation timetable.