Correctional officers trained in juvenile correction by Norwegian experts

As part of the reform of the juvenile correctional system, Corradino Correctional Facility (CCF) has joined Norwegian Correctional Services to provide a formalised training programme on dealing with juvenile offenders under the age of 21.

A total of 35 correctional officers and professionals working with the Correctional Services were presented with certificates by Home Affairs and National Security Minister Carmelo Abela and CCF Director Paul De Battista following the successful completion of this training programme provided by Norwegian and local experts at the Academy for Disciplined Forces at ta’ Kandja.

Minister Abela noted that this training programme in current best practices in the adolescent correctional field, in line with international practices, is valued at €11,000 co-financed by Norwegian Funds. He explained that Norway is known to be at the forefront of correctional practice.

The Minister confirmed that this is the first time in the history of correctional officers that such an investment has been made in their skills. “Unfortunately, the Correctional Officers within CCF have gone through a long period of time where the development of their skills was completely unaccounted for or even ignored” said Mr Abela. He emphasised that the government has the regeneration of the juvenile correctional system in Malta at heart because these young people are the present and the future of our society. To this effect, an ambitious project has been embarked upon that will see the building of a new modern facility for young offenders at Mtaħleb, thanks to Norwegian Funds. This infrastructural project is being accompanied by the development of new therapeutic programmes for these young offenders and by training correctional officers.

The Minister added that the Home Affairs Ministry is not only changing the pattern with the setting-up of the Academy for Disciplined Forces but has begun to introduce the concept of continuous professional development where training goes beyond recruitment.

“You have the power to motivate these young people, to open up their horizons, to make them realise that they are surrounded by people who believe that they can be re-integrated in society if they are willing to work for it,” Mr Abela appealed to the Young Offenders Unit Rehabilitation Services members of staff.

Currently there are 12 young offenders residing at the Young Offenders Unit at Mtaħleb under the age of 21.