Criminal records to be struck off in half the time
People imprisoned for a range of crimes will have their records struck off in half the time than the present, once they serve their term, the government proposed in a White Paper yesterday.
The reform, an electoral pledge, is meant to give offenders a second chance and make it easier for them to find a job and reintegrate in society, Justice Minister Jonathan Attard and Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Buttigieg told a press conference.
The proposed reform will also enable offenders to request the removal of an offence from their record if it had been decriminalised.
Those convicted of simple possession of drugs for personal use will be able to request that their crime be removed from their record immediately.
Furthermore, those leaving prison may request a supplementary certificate of good conduct, attesting to their good behaviour and courses they would have followed, should that be the case. The certificate will be issued by a board composed of representatives of the police, the correctional facility, the justice ministry and the parole board. The certificate would be immediately revoked should the individual commit another crime.
“We have heard many stories of former prison inmates finding it difficult to get a job because their crimes continue to show up on their conduct sheet,” Buttigieg said.
“These measures are meant to encourage prison inmates to behave well and engage in reform programmes while also giving potential employers a full picture of job applicants.”
Buttigieg explained that the reform is not a carte blanche and certain serious crimes will not be removed from criminal records. They include homicide, femicide, crimes against humanity, slander and perjury, recidivism in drug trafficking, theft and fraud. Crimes against government security will also not be removed from the police conduct.
Crimes punished by the imposition of fines will be struck off once the fines are paid.
Attard said the length of time that a crime appears on the record sheet will depend on its seriousness and the court sentence.
Currently, sentences with convictions of more than 10 years in prison are removed from the conduct sheet 10 years after the sentence would have been served. That will be cut by half, to five years.
Sentences with a conviction of less than six months will be removed after three months instead of the current six.
“We believe that, in a humane society, everyone makes mistakes and we should provide solutions for those who wish to reintegrate back into society,” Attard said.
The public consultation will be open until May 29.