Investigation needed into excessive heat at the prisons, impact on inmates

An urgent, independent investigation needs to be carried out into excessive heat at the prisons and its impact on the inmates, a university professor is insisting.

Andrew Azzopardi said he has written to the health commissioner within the Office of the Ombudsman requesting an investigation into the current situation at  Malta's correctional facilities. He pointed out that the situation had not improved since he made another request to the prison authorities in 2024.  

He pointed out that prolonged exposure to excessive heat may pose significant risks to the physical and mental health of incarcerated persons, compromise acceptable public health standards within places of detention and undermine the rehabilitative objectives of the correctional system.

He said that an investigation should be conducted by the Commissioner for Health. As part of the process, a multidisciplinary inspection team comprising public health specialists, clinicians, environmental health experts, engineers, and correctional representatives should be appointed to assess prison conditions.

Continuous monitoring of temperature and humidity should be introduced and comprehensive heat-health risk assessments should be conducted for all incarcerated persons, with particular attention given to older adults, individuals with chronic illnesses, and those receiving psychotropic medication.

National minimum standards governing prison ventilation, cooling, hydration, and heat emergency management should be developed and implemented in accordance with recognised public health guidance and international human rights standards.

The findings of the investigation, together with all recommendations and a clear implementation timetable, should be published in the interests of transparency, accountability, and public confidence, Azzopardi said.

Azzopardi is the former dean of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing at the University of Malta.