Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1303831
4 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 28 OCTOBER 2020 NEWS NICOLE MEILAK THERE are no plans for the re- moval of Division 6 inside Cor- radino Correctional Facility, as it is being used as a quarantine facility, the home affairs minis- ter said. The maximum security facility, often used as a punitive measure for solitary confinement, is being used as a quarantine facility to isolate incoming prisoners. The University of Malta academic Prof. Andrew Azzopardi said the division is being used to "break newcomers in" before moving them out to another division. But they are also being subject- ed to 23 hours inside their cells, a measure that is akin to solitary confinement measures that are universally condemned. Camill- eri did not deny the conditions. "Division six is used for quaran- tine – every prisoner entering carries out 15 days of quarantine. If we don't do this, we risk hav- ing an explosion of COVID-19 in prison," the minister said. "Until now, over the past few months, the situation in prison in terms of COVID-19 has been excellent – we cannot erase this work. The need for quarantine is there, and will continue to be there until COVID-19 passes." MaltaToday is informed that Division 6 is employed for the disciplining of unruly inmates, and to prevent self-harm. Camilleri said the absolute majority of COVID-19 cases at Corradino were those who had just entered prison or who had arrived a few days earlier, neces- sitating the need for quarantine procedures. Division 6, which had previ- ously been closed down, had been condemned by the UN's Committee for the Prevention of Torture over its "simply appall- ing" material conditions, where single-occupancy cells were found to be accommodating two inmates back in 2013. The wing was criticised for having had poor access to natural light, or artificial lighting and ventilation. Cells were then only equipped with one bed and another mat- tress, placed on the floor, and an unpartitioned floor toilet." In the UK, the chief inspector of prisons Peter Clarke warned that prisoners locked in their cells for 23 hours a day under COVID-19 restrictions was dan- gerous: "We cannot surely have a position where we say that the only way to run a safe and decent prison is to lock prisoners up in conditions that amount to soli- tary confinement." Prison's solitary confinement division will be retained throughout pandemic Maligned division used for punishing CCF inmates will keep on being used to quarantine incoming inmates Home affairs minister Byron Camilleri January 2020 ERA IS RECRUITING Interested candidates are advised to check the relevant entry criteria via the QR code below and submit their application, together with a detailed curriculum vitae and a copy of their qualifications by noon of Monday, 2 nd November 2020 (CET) quoting the respective position and Jobs Plus permit number. The Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) is seeking to employ specialized officers to join a growing team. Scan for further information era.org.mt Be part of the change A p p l y T o d a y To provide strategic support to ERA Directorates in relation to Procurement matters and the monitoring and following of procurement procedures including but not limited to tenders, calls for quotations and monitoring of stocks in a transparent, timely and cost effective manner Senior Officer (Procurement) Jobs Plus Permit No. 275/2020 To provide strategic support to ERA Directorates in relation to Information Systems & Telecommunications. The selected candidate is to keep abreast with the latest software development tools and languages. Moreover the successful candidate will be require to provide strategic IS development and keep ERA at the forefront of technology and provide software development as the needs arise. Senior Officer (IT & T) Jobs Plus Permit No. 465/2018 To provide general support on a day-to-day basis, ensuring the necessary preventive maintenance of the Authority's premises including machinery and any other relevant equipment. Handyman II Jobs Plus Permit No. 214/2020 For further information contact us on vacancies.era@era.org.mt MATTHEW AGIUS THE man accused of murdering Chantelle Chetcuti, Justin Borg, has been released on bail this af- ternoon. Borg is accused of stabbing the mother of two, his ex-partner, in the head during an argument outside a football club in Zabbar in February this year. Chetcuti died of her injuries. Borg's lawyers argued that there was no risk of tampering with ev- idence as the civilian witnesses had all testified, confirmed by the prosecution. In its decree this afternoon, the Court presided by magis- trate Rachel Montebello ruled that evidence that Borg would breach the bail conditions had to be shown. On public outcry and in view of the problem of domestic vi- olence in Malta, the lawyers observed that nine months had passed since the incident, the accused had ties to Malta, with a job and two young children here, as well as family ties. None of the fears mentioned in the criminal code subsisted, they said. He was released on bail on con- dition that he sign a bail book daily, observe a curfew and does not speak or approach the Chet- cuti family unless for access to children Bail was secured with a deposit of €25,000 and personal guarantee of €20,000. Lawyers Franco Debono, Mari- on Camilleri and Francesca Zarb appeared for Borg. Man accused of Chantelle Chetcuti murder released on bail