For news from the previous years click here.

JANUARY 2008

Prison Mass: MDD volunteers took part in the celebration of the Eucharist on New Year's Day (1st) at the Female B section. This was a moment of special closeness between inmates and volunteers.

Meetings at the prisons: Visits to the Juvenile Section of the Corradino Prisons by MDD's volunteers resumed on the 1st; to the female sections on the 3rd; and to the main male sections on the 8th. Throughout the year, MDD's volunteers regularly visited the male inmates (includin the Juvenile section) every Tuesday between 4.30 pm and 7.00 pm; and the female sections every Thursday between 9.30 am and 11.00 am and 4.30 pm and 6.00 pm.

Female A celeb: MDD organised a festive activity at the Female A Section on the 3rd. Inmates, volunteers and prison officers danced to rhythms provided by a local DJ. Those were a few hours spend joyously.

Female B celeb: Another season celebration was organised at the Female B section on the 4th. Again, as in similar previous occasions, the event was absolute fun. Inmates, prison officers and volunteers enjoyed the inspiration of a local DJ and had a good time together.

Volunteer outing: In the evening of the 4th, MDD's volunteers had an outing together at a restaurant in Kappara to celebrate the new year. This joyful event brought to a close the season's festivities for this year.

Administrative meetings: MDD's administrative meetings resumed on the 8th. Throughout the year such meetings were generally held every Tuesday between 7.15 pm and 9.30 pm. At the beginning of the year the following were the members of the Steering Committee.

Appointment: On the 8th, Annette McEntaggart BSc, M.Sc (crim.), was appointed head of the family section of MDD.

Family 3: A meeting was held to prepare the launch of "Family 3", MDD's project in aid of prisoners' relatives, partners and friends. On the 9th MDD's high officials met the newly appointed head of the section for prisoners' families, Annette McEntaggart, and other volunteers to take stock of resources and discuss future plans.

Press release: On the 10th MDD issued a press release to protest against the sending of a 13-year old girl to prison by the courts. Prison is not a place for children, MDD stated, adding that the decision was inhumane and cruel. Good press coverage was registered. A month later, another similar case occurred.

Talking Point: MDD's director, Dr Mark Montebello, issued a personal opinion concerning the Prison Board of Visitors on the 19th. This was given prominance on 'Talking Point' of The Times of Malta. In the preceding weeks the Prison Board had resigned en bloc in protest against the prison director, saying that it lacked due respect. Dr Montebello's opinion held that the board's "squabbles were getting it nowhere".

Questionnaire: MDD volunteers were at the prisons on the 19th to carry out a questionnaire with all Maltese prisoners at the Corradino prisons at Paola. Prisoners at other detention centres - namely, SATU, St. Anne, St. Blas, and Mount Carmel - will be held in the following days. The questionnaire is being carried out in conjunction with the conference on ex-prisoners organised by MDD on April 10th. The results of the questionnaire will be announced at that event.

Berlin conference: Members of MDD were in Berlin, Germany, between the 26th and 30th in connection to an EU project on hate crime and radicalization. During their stay they attended a conference organised by Bremen Univeristy; and also had meetings with members of the partnership.

FEBRUARY 2008

Meeting with PM: MDD had a private meeting with Malta's Prime Minister and Leader of the Nationalist Party (PN), Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, on the 2nd in view of the coming general elections. The meeting will be held at PN HQ at Pietà. The Minister for Justice & Home Affairs, Dr Tonio Borg, and the Secretary General of the Nationalist Party (in government), Joe Saliba, were also present. The PM pledged to include in the PN Electoral Program the introduction in Malta of the parole system during the next legislature.

Meeting with MLP: MDD had a private meeting with the main spokesman for the opposition on home affairs, Dr. Gavin Gulia. This was on the 4th at the HQ of the Malta Labour Party (MLP) at Hamrun. Amongst other things, Dr. Gulia pledged to include in the MLP Electoral Program the introduction in Malta of the parole system during the next legislature.

Prison course: MDD's 2008 specialised course on penal justice began on the 4th. The course was held at the Conference Centre of the Archbishop's Curia, Floriana. Ten students attended the course, which ends on March 18.

L-ARKA (THE ARK): The winter issue of MDD's official leaflet, L-ARKA (THE ARK), was distributed free of charge to all prisoners on the 5th. For the first time, the publication was a bi-lingual edition (Maltese-English).

Press release: On the 16th MDD issued a press release to protest against yet another sending of a child to prison by the courts. Just after a month from the case of the 13-year old girl (), this time it was the turn of a 12-year old boy. Prison is not a place for children, MDD stated again, adding that the decision was inhumane and cruel. Good press coverage was registered.

Child imprisonment protest + 2007 Report: A press conference was organised in Valletta on the 25th. This was held in front of the law courts in Republic Street. The conference took the form of a protest againt the imprisonment of children in Malta. Members of the Graffitti pressure group, also attended. During the event MDD presented its 2007 statistical annual report, and commented on the proposals of the major parties for the next general elections. The conference attracted considerable press coverage.

University lecture: MDD's Director, Dr Mark Montebello, read a lecture at the University of Malta regarding the prisoners' social standing. This was part of a course to psychology students on inclusiveness. The lecture was on the 25th.

School visit: Also on the 25th, a prisoner from St. Anne's Rehab Centre was invited to St. Francis of Assisi Secondary School at Santa Venera by one of MDD's members. A talk was delivered to the senior students. While much interest was shown, the invitee enjoyed the experience tremendously.

MARCH 2008

Campus FM: MDD's Director, Dr Mark Montebello, was the main speaker during a radio program on Campus FM (the university radio). This was on the 3rd. Dr Montebello was the guest of Dr Andrew Azzopardi, and the subject chosen for the program was prison and ethics. Listen to the program (in Maltese) by clicking here .

Child Imprisonment PR: MDD issued yet another press communication on the 4th protesting on the imprisonment of yet another child. The courts of justice ordered a Bulgarian child of just 15 years to be detained for three days at Malta's common prisons on charges of pickpocketing.

General Elections: The Nationalist Party (PN) won the general elections that were held on the 8th. On the 12th Dr Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici was appointed Minister of Justice and Home Affairs. He was parliamentary secretary in the same ministry in the last administration. He substitutes Dr Tonio Borg.

Weekend Meeting: MDD's mother organisation, Daritama, held its first yearly live-in between the 14th and the 16th. This edition was prepared by the Education branch of the organisation. A good number of volunteers attended. The theme chosen was happiness.

Family meeting: A get-together was organised by MDD's family section for various relatives of prisoners. This was on the 18th at Cospicua. Those present shared experiences and refreshments, and also visited together a couple of Good Friday exhibitions.

End of course: The annual course offered by MDD on the penal system came to an end on the 17th. The course had begun on February 4th. At the closing session of the course, held on the 18th, certificates of attendance were distributed to students. Next year's course will be held between February 12 and March 26.

Prison 'Way of the Cross': This year the archbishop's annual national celebration of the 'Way of the Cross' devotion was held at the prisons in Paola. This was on the 19th. MDD was invited to participate in various ways. Hundreds of people attended this special occasion. The event, which was held partly within and partly outside the prison complex, was linked to the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Pope John XXIII's visit to prisoners in 1958.

A most special visit: On the 21st, Good Friday, MDD had the honour of hosting at its Cospicua centre (prison) inmates who are residents at the St Anne Rehabilitation Centre of Bahar ic-Caghak. The visit was kept low-key and informal. This was the second time that prisoners visited MDD's centre.

Parole Support: An online petition was begun on the 24th by the Society of Criminology Students (GHSK) of the University of Malta to support MDD's efforts to introduce the parole system to Malta. Feel free to subscribe and support this petition. It is posted on http://www.petitiononline.com/ghsk/petition.html .

Police Museum PR: MDD issued a press communication on the 27th concerning the newly inaugurated "Crime Museum" at the Police Depot, Floriana. MDD expressed concern that some of the exhibits display very recent cases for which evidently identifiable convicts are still, at present, serving prison sentences. MDD disapproved such lack of sensitivity and prudence.

Visit to Rehab Centre: Members of MDD visited St Anne Rehabilitation Centre at Bahar ic-Caghak on the 27th. They were welcomed most warmly by the inmates there and shared some thoughts and food.

MDD's Future: An MDD commission met for the first time on the 28th to discuss future prospectives for MDD. The commission had been formed by MDD's last AGM on September 25, 2007. Progress registered was satisfactory though unconclusive.

Radio Programme: MDD took part in a radio live programme on Radju Marija. This was on the 30th. The programme was held in view of a feature article to be published on a local daily. Both events dealt with the plight of ex-prisoners in Malta.

APRIL 2008

Di-ve interview : MDD's director, Dr Mark Montebello, is interviewed on di-ve.com by Paul Cachia. This was on the 3rd.

MDD's Future: The commission dealing with MDD's future prospectives met for the second time on the 4th and concluded its work. It reported its conclusions to the Steering Board the 15th. At the same sitting a second, more technical, commission was formed to discuss MDD's possible developments with officials of its mother organisation (Daritama). This second met immediately after the Steering Board meeting on the 15th and discussed a way forward in the consultation process.

Conference on Ex-Prisoners: On the 13th anniversary of its establishment in 1995, MDD organised a public conference on ex-prisoners. This was on the 10th at St James Cavalier, Valletta. The event was an astounding success in terms of organisation, content, attendence, and press coverage. At the activity MDD launched a research conducted at the prisons last January on prisoners' future hopes and prospectives. The conference was adressed by an ex-prisoner; Spt Sandro Gatt, the Director of prisons; Charles Miceli, Head of Prison Inmates’ Programme at St Anne Rihibilitation Cenre, Baħar ic-Caghak; Antoinette Camilleri, Employment Advisor at the Supported Employment Section of ETC; Charles Mifsud, Coordinator at the home for the homeless, Suret il-Bniedem, Gzira; Consuelo Scerri Herrera, Magistrate at the Courts of Justice; the Hon. John Dalli, Minister for Social Policy; and Matthew Agius, MDD’s Coordinator for ex-prisoners. The acts of the conference and the research will be published shortly. The Minister's speech may be accessed by clicking here ().

Meeting New Minister: MDD met the new Minister for Justice & Home Affairs, Dr Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici. This was on the 11th at the Ministry in Valletta. Prison matters were discussed, and also plans for future collaboration.

Spring Leaflet: The spring edition of MDD's official bi-lingual newsletter, L-ARKA/THE ARK, was issued during the last week of April. Amongst other items, it carried an exclusive interview with the new Minister for Justice & Home Affairs, Dr Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici.

MAY 2008

Parole Report: MDD submitted a report on parole to the Minsiter of Justice & Home Affairs. This was on the 6th. The report had been requested by the Minister himself during his private meeting with MDD on April 11 last. Copies of the report were sent to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.

TV programme: MDD took part in a UTV live programme dealing with ex-prisoners and resettlement. This was on the 7th. An ex-prisoner, and a spokesperson for Victim Support Malta , were also present.

New Prison Board Chairman: The Minister of Justice & Home Affairs, Dr Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, appointed Dr Ivan Mifsud LL.D., as the new chairman of the Prison Board of Visitors. This was on the 7th. The former chairman, Dr Mario Felice, who had held office since 1994, resigned on March 28, and retained in office until April 7. The new members of the board were not announced yet.

Constitutional cases: MDD will be filing a constitutional case with the Constitutional Court of Malta. The case will contest the withholding of the contributory pension to prisoners who are over the age of retirement, and the suspension of voting rights to prisoners. A meeting was held with Dr Tony Abela LL.D. on the 9th to draw up the writs.

MDD Future: Following discussions on a low-key level during the latter part of April, a meeting was held between MDD's second 'Future' commission and officials of its mother organisation (Daritama). This was on the 15th. A definite plan was discussed. No definite conclusion was arrived at pending discussions on a more technical and detailed level.

Meeting with Minister: MDD's director, Dr Mark Montebello, met the Minister of Justice & Home Affairs, Dr Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, on the 16th. This was at the Ministry in Valletta. During the meeting the Minister announced that he may soon be calling a specialised committee to draw up a bill by which the parole system will be introduced to Malta.

Meeting MLP: MDD was invited to attend a meeting with one of the main contestants for the leadership of the Malta Labour Party (MLP), Dr Joseph Muscat. MDD attended together with other charities. The meeting was on the 17th. Its aim was merely exploratory.

CPT Visit: MDD met a delegation of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) of the Council of Europe during its official visit to Malta. The last visit was in 2005. The meeting was on the 19th. MDD was represented by its director and secretary, Dr Mark Montebello and George Busuttil respectively, who were accompanied by Mr Joseph Azzopardi. CPT was represented by members Dr Marc Neve, Mr Pierre Schmit and Dr Roland Marquet, expert Dr Sylvie Sarolea, and secretaries Mr Kristian Bartholin and Mr Fabrice Kellens. The meeting was held at the Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana.

Children's Commissioner: MDD was invited to attend a discussion meeting with the Commissioner for Children, Ms Carmen Zammit, at Santa Venera. The meeting was held on the 21st. The recently published Manifesto for Children was discussed, particularly the part dealing with social exclusion.

Meeting Cisco: MDD had a meeting with a local representative of Cisco Systems, Inc., Mr David Degaetano. This was on the 22nd. Possible plans for operations within Malta's prison were discussed.

JUNE 2008

Resignation: Annette McEntaggart resigned from MDD's Steering Committee on the 3rd. This was for health and other personal reasons. Ms McEntaggart was head of the Family 3 section since January 8th.

Meeting MEP: MDD was invited to meet one of Malta's MEPs, Dr Simon Busuttil, on the 6th. The relationship of NGOs with the EU was discussed.

TV Programme: A recorded programme on MDD's work with ex-prisoners was aired for the first time on the 10th. This was on Education Channel 22. Various repeats were made.

Children's Commissioner: MDD took part again in a meeting organised by the Commissioner for Children, Ms Carmen Zammit, at Santa Venera on the 11th. The discussion, based on the Manifesto for Children, focused on children in conflict with the law.

MDD Future: An executive meeting of MDD's mother organisation, Daritama, was held on the 12th in which it was decided that, in a year's time, all assets of the organisation will be tranferred to MDD. Following this meeting, MDD's commission on the organisation's future prospectives held session and was ready to report back to MDD's Steering Committee.

Parole - Meeting with Minister: MDD's director, Dr Mark Montebello, met the Minister of Justice & Home Affairs, Dr Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, on the 13th at the Ministry in Valletta. The next step ahead in the process for the introduction of parole to Malta was discussed.

Meeting ex-prisoners: A meeting was held on the 16th in which various ex-prisoners took part. The meeting was held in connection to a running Equal project. MDD made the meeting with ex-prisoners was made possible through its representative, Matthew Agius.

MDD's future: Following the work done by the commission formed to consider MDD's future, on the 17th the organisation's Steering Committee decided that MDD be given the legal status of a foundation. The date chosen for the establishment of the foundation is October 2, 2008.

Visit-a-Prisoner: A meeting involving volunteers who will participate in MDD's scheme Visit-a-Prisoner was held on the 30th. The aim of the meeting was to introduce the new volunteers to the service, and to explain MDD's code of ethics in this field.

JULY 2008

Interview: MDD's director, Dr Mark Montebello, was interviewed by freelance journalist Saviour Balzan on Malta's national TV station during the programme Reporter. This was on the 1st. The imprisonment of children in Malta was discussed.

Children's Commissioner: MDD met the Commissioner for Children, Ms Carmen Zammit, for the third time on the 2nd. The discussion, based on the Manifesto for Children, focused on children and the law.

BBQ: A BBQ was held beside the sea at Delimara by MDD's volunteers and friends. This was on the 14th. It is so good to relax away from work!

Visit-a-Prisoner: Another meeting for volunteers who will participate in MDD's scheme Visit-a-Prisoner was held on the 16th. The volunteers were given information on the prisoners they will be visiting.

MDD Publication: MDD issued the full unabridged results of the scientific research that it conducted with prisoners in January. This was on the 17th at Centru Hidma Socjali, Santa Venera. The book, named The Resettlement of Maltese Prisoners (), deals with the hopes and dreads for the future of Maltese prisoners. The launching was also attended by the Ministry of Justice & Home Affairs, Dr Carm Mifsud Bonnici.

End of Agreement: The financial agreement between MDD and its satellite organisation, Victim Support Malta (VSM), will come to an end on the 27th. With this agreement, signed on July 28, 2006, MDD heavily supported VSM financially over a two-year period in view of VSM's sustainable growth, autonomy and independence. The expiry of the agreement marks the end of MDD's successful endevour, upheld at least for the last five years, to establish victim support in Malta. To mark the event a cineforum in collaboration with Victim Support Malta was held on the 21st. A discussion followed the screening of the movie Just ask my children.

VSM Resignation: Dr Mark Montebello officially terminated his membership with Victim Support Malta (VSM) on the 21st. From 2003 onwards he had been a pioneer of victim support in Malta, and pivotal in the creation and advancement of VSM. He now leaves behind him a strong and flourishing organisation.

Press Release: MDD issued a press release on the 30th condemning yet another case of child incarceration. In the preceeding days a boy of 13 was sent to prison as punishment for bad conduct in court. MDD insisted once more that prison is no place for children, and that other permanent solutions should be found to deal with the problems involved. The PR was given good press coverage.

AUGUST 2008

New Prison Board: A new formation for the Prison Board of Visitors was announced by the Ministry of Justice & Home Affairs on the 1st. Sadly, no member of MDD was included in this formation.

Prison Director resigns: The Minister of Justice & Home Affairs accepted the resignation of the Prison Director, Superintendent Sandro Gatt, with immediate effect. This was on the 26th, the very day of the Director's resignation. Gatt had been in office since 2002. His resignation came in the wake of mounted pressure from the media on allegations of misconduct in prison. Police Inspector Brian Zammit was appointed Acting Director.

Press Release: MDD publicly thanked the outgoing prison director, Sandro Gatt, for the service he rendered throughout his tenure of office. This was on the 28th. MDD called on government to seriously consider appointing a civilian, and not a police officer, as prison director.

SEPTEMBER 2008

Meeting with A/Director: MDD representatives had an initial meeting with the new Acting Director of prison, Inspector Brian Zammit. This was on the 2nd. Both sides vouched to cooperate with each other in their common objective to help prisoners and their families.

Prison Director resignation: Twice in as much days MDD's Director, Dr Mark Montebello, called the recent forced resignation of the prison director, Sandro Gatt, after six years in office as 'vindictive'. His comments (in Maltese) were published on It-Torca ( ) and l-Orizzont ( ) on the 7th and 8th respectively, the last being an interview by Gaetano Micallef.

Wednesday 10th - Business B'fast: MDD representatives had a business breakfast with the PM and other MPs on work and social policy. This was on the 10th at the Excelsior Grand Hotel in Floriana.

BBQ: MDD organised a barbique by the seaside at Bahar ic-Caghak on the 12th. MDD's volunteers were happily joined by prisoners currently undergoing drug rehabilitation programmes at St Anne's Rehab Centre.

AGM: MDD's annual general meeting was held on the 23rd. This will be followed by the annual general meeting of MDD's mother organisation, Daritama, on the 28th.

BBC Programme: MDD's Director, Dr Mark Montebello, will be a guest of Inside Out - West () on BBC. This will be on the 24th. The news programme will be dedicated to the criminal proceedings held in Malta against a British citizen, Steven Marsden.

OCTOBER 2008

Director General: MDD issued a call for applications for the post of part-time Director General. This was on the 5th.

Family 3: Sue Micallef, Lara Azzopardi and Sharon Farrugia were appointed co-responsible of MDD's Family 3 project that focuses on prisoners' families. This was on the 7th.

Child prisoners: The October issue (n.18) of M Magazine of The Times of Malta carried an article by Claudia Calleja on the imprisonment of children in Malta. MDD collaborated in the research of the article, and proffered its views on the subject.

Social matters: MDD representatives took part in a meeting organised by the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Social Matters. This was on the 8th. MDD pointed out that prisoners, their families and ex-prisoners were left out of the sub-committee's considerations as expressed in their working document. This oversight had to be remedied.

A/Director visit: On the 14th, the newly appointed Assistant Prison Director, Brian Zammit, was at MDD's centre for an acquaintance meeting with MDD's volunteers. The spirit of cooperation upheld with previous prison directors was renewed.

Netherlands conference: MDD's Director, Dr Mark Montebello, participated in a conference organised by the European Organisation for Probation on prisoners detained in foreign countries. This was on the 16th and 17th. Dr Montebello also led a workshop on the Maltese experience.

PR - Sex Offenders: On the 24th MDD issued a press release explaining its position regarding a proposed sex offender register. The register, it stated, will solve some problems but create others. The government should prohibit convicted sex offenders from being employed at workplaces where children are involved.

Interviews: The first round of interviews for the post of part-time General Director of MDD began on the 27th.

NOVEMBER 2008

Trustees: A first joint meeting with two of the three prospective trustees of the future MDD Foundation was held on the 4th. Marilyn Clark and Anthony Vella met the steering committee at Cospicua and shared ideas on MDD's future.

Interviews: The second round of interviews for the post of part-time General Director of MDD was held on the 6th. The appointment was awarded to Charles Cassar B.A. Psy.(Hons.), GPTIM.

PR - Ethics: MDD issued a press release supporting the Ethics Commission of the Malta Labour Party in which it was declared that no names or images of criminally accused persons should be mentioned before conviction. This was on 7th. MDD praised this ruling, and encouraged all other media entities to follow suit.

Weekend Meeting: MDD's mother organisation, Daritama, held its second yearly live-in between the 14th and the 16th. This edition was be prepared by all branches of Daritama. Attendence was very good, and so was the family atmosphere generated by those present.

Youth meeting: MDD's secretary, George Busuttil, addressed a group of youths on criminal justice on the 19th. This was at the Youth & Travel Centre in Valletta. The meeting was interesting and lively.

Prison Board Meeting: Representatives of MDD had a private meeting with the newly appointed Prison Board of Visitors at the Paola prisons. The meeting took place on the initiative of MDD. This was on the 21st. The meeting was a very cordial one in which MDD made its position clear vis-a-vis the Prison Board, and even put forward an offer for further close collaboration between the two sides.

DECEMBER 2008

TV programme: MDD's Director, Dr Mark Montebello, took part in a talkshow on One TV dealing with prisoners' human rights issues. This was on the 3rd with presenter Miriam Dalli. Special attention was given to foreign prisoners in Malta.

TV programme: MDD's Director, Dr Mark Montebello, took part in another programme on One TV on the 7th. The killing of Bastjan Borg by the police at Qormi on May 11, 2007, was discussed. The programme was presented by Simone Cini and Jean Paul Mifsud.

Designate Director: Psychotherapist Charles Cassar was appointed MDD's Designate Director as from the 9th. His role is to strengthen the organisation's structure and operational strategies. His three month probation period will end in March 2009.

At the Prison Gates: MDD's volunteers were at the prison gates during the 13th/14th weekend to meet families of prisoners. They encouraging them to participate at MDD's commemorative event of December 26th at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta.

MDD Centre: On the 17th an application was submitted to the Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) for use of a residence at Cospicua to be changed to MDD's centre of operations. The application was submitted to the good services of Architect Duncan Mifsud.

Meeting: MDD's designate director, Charles Cassar, will attend a human rights meetings organised by the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This will be on the 18th at Valletta.

SATU visit: MDD's director, Dr Mark Montebello, will be present for the Archbishop's visit to the Substance Abuse Therapeutic Unit (SATU) at Mtahleb. This will be on the 18th (in the afternoon).

Prison cards: All prisoners and prison wardens were individually sent a card for the festive season. This was on the 22nd. The card was signed by all of MDD's members, and showed a beautiful child's protrait. The greetings were very much appreciated.

Archbishop's visit: The Archbishop of Malta visited the prison on the 26th (in the morning). MDD had representatives present for the occasion. The Archbishop said mass in the chapel, and visited prisoners in their living quarters.

Solemn Mass: The 50th anniversary of the historical visit of Pope John XXIII to the Roman prison of Regina Coeli on December 26, 1958, was celebrated with a solemn mass at St John's Co-Cathidral in Valletta. This was on the 26th. The mass was said by H.G. the Archbishop, Mons. Paul Cremono O.P., in the presence of H.E. the President of Malta, Dr Edward Fenech Adami. Other dignitaries present were the Chief Justice, Dr Vincent de Gaetano, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Onor. Louis Galea, and the prison actiing director, Mr Brian Zammit. A choir from Victoria, Gozo, Fjur t'Assisi, animated the mass. Various prisoners from Imtahleb and St Anne Rehab Centre, ex-prisoners, families of prisoners, prison wardens, persons who work in the criminal and penal justice systems, and many members of the general public attended. The activity has a strong press coverage.