Update 2 | Urine tests ordered at prisons following court allegations

The Ministry for Home Affairs has ordered urine tests at the Corradino Correctional Facility after allegations of widespread drug abuse at the prisons were made in Court.

A spokeswoman for the ministry confirmed that urine tests were being carried out on all inmates in the male and female wards. Surprise spot checks have already been carried out.

“80 inmates who already underwent their urine tests have all tested negative,” she said.

The spokeswoman added that the ministry had tightened its security efforts at the prisons and strengthened its fight against drug abuse. 

The Ministry said that urine tests are frequently carried out on prisoners. It said that 1,125 tests were carried out in 2013 and that over 400 tests have been carried out so far this year. Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia also ordered urine tests on prison staff.

The Ministry said that the current situation positively contrasts to the prison system as it was under the previous Nationalist government where urine tests on prisoners were infrequent.

It highlighted the case of Josette Bickle who was sentenced to 12 years in jail after being found guilty of drug trafficking while in prison.

In parliament, Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia said that 10 sniffer dogs at CCF had become “prisoners’ pets” over the years. The Ministry, as part of the reform, ordered the procurement of six dogs, each costing €2,400.

The Opposition has also demanded that the government explains statements given in court by Januariusz Cholaszczynski, 53, of Poland, describing prison as “a place brimming with drugs”.

Following the statements made in court, the Police Commissioner also called for Cholaszczynski.

Cholaszczynski yesterday admitted to charges of attempted theft, but not before describing Corradino Correctional Facility as an institution that ‘does not serve as a deterrent to prisoners’.

“Prison is filled with around 700 people, 90% of whom are abusing of drugs, and inside you can find everything. Prison does not serve as a deterrent to any prisoners. I will experience no change in prison.

Shadow home affairs minister Jason Azzopardi said the statements were of serious concern.

“The PN wants minister Manuel Mallia to explain whether it is true or not that ‘90% of inmates’ are on drugs. It is serious that these type of declarations are made when Mallia, last September, claimed he wanted to eradicate drugs inside prison. It is clear, going by what was said in court, that not only have drugs in prison not been eradicated, but indeed they have increased.”

The PN said the CCF had to be a place of rehabilitation for prisoners, allowing them to integrate themselves back into society.

Cholaszczynski was accused of entering a hotel room at the Fortina Hotel on 4 August, 2013 at 7:15pm, after guests accidentally left their door open. In March, the accused was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to theft charges, and was subsequently handed a suspended sentence after being found guilty of the charges.

The man, who refused legal aid, pleaded with the court not to send him to prison, saying he could not speak to anyone in prison.

Speaking in fluent Italian, Cholaszczynski told the court that the best punishment for him would be deportation to Italy.

This plea was dismissed by the court who said the accused could not be deported back to Italy. Despite his guilty plea, the court suspended the sentencing until 13 August.