Probation and Parole services are to be offered in Gozo. This was announced by the Minister of Interior and National Security Carmelo Abela and the Minister for Gozo, Anton Refalo, during a visit to the new Probation and Parole office, located within the Ministry for Gozo, Victoria.
Minister Abela said the latest statistics show that the Department is taking care of more than 1,000 cases in the community, with the rate of these cases envisaged to continue to increase every year in Malta and Gozo.
“These statistics show the confidence of the Magistrates Courts in the services offered by the Directorate of Probation and Parole. The fact that the courts are referring more cases to this Directorate, demonstrates the credibility gained before the Judiciary for sentences carried out in the community,” said Minister Abela.
This was achieved thanks to work carried out by a team of 24 officials from Probation and Parole lead by the Director Miriam Sevasta, who work with professionalism and seriousness to monitor and assist anyone given this judgement, the Minister said.
He said that in this area the priority is always to strike a balance between protecting public safety and the rehabilitation of whoever is the offender. He referred to the Parole system and the caution under which it operates. Saying that in 2013 there where 92 applications and only 4 Parole licenses were granted and in 2014 there were 20 licenses granted from 101 applications.
The Minister added that so far this year there has been 51 applications and 12 licenses have been granted.
He said that since 2013, 10 people have successfully completed the period of their parole.
The Interior Minister also spoke about the importance that should be given to the rehabilitation and reintegration of the person into society. In this regard he pointed out that in 2014 there were 32 ordered to do community work, and so far in 2015 there were 17. The Minister urged the courts to continue with their belief in this sort of judgement.
Minister Abela said that the Department of Probation and Parole also includes two psychologists for the benefit of those who need psychological help to address the problems of their behaviour.
The Minister for Gozo Anton Refalo, stated that this is a small, but significant step to show willingness to offer services in Gozo hitherto only offered in Malta.
“This is a specific case. So far the practice has always been that this department would send officers from Malta to Gozo to carry out their work, or the offender had to travel to Malta.”
Dr Refalo added, “today, the workload at the Gozo Court has greatly increased in all areas, therefore the Department of Probation and Parole felt the need to extend its services in Gozo.”
The Gozo Minister said that central location of the office is essential, enabling it to be reached easily by everyone.
Dr Refalo pointed out that with the opening of this office, the supervision of offenders can be made on a more regular basis, while also cutting out travel costs, and time having to be taken off for travel.
This service will start being offered in Gozo twice weekly, and will be assessed to see if it needs to be increased.
Photograph: MGOZ/George Scerri