From prison to purpose: RISe programme shows path to lasting reintegration

Every time Franco* left jail, he returned home to find a “massive and overwhelming” difference between prison life and freedom. He felt disconnected and resorted to substance abuse to cope.

He reoffended, and the cycle continued.

This changed when he attended a reintegration programme provided by the RISe Foundation, which gradually supported him through the transition out of prison. Franco* has now been drug-free for years and has a stable job. (*not his real name).

This anecdote was shared by Charlene Fabri, who presented part of her Master’s research. Her study mapped out the system used at RISe through focus groups with current and former residents, as well as interviews with staff.

“People do not change through high-security locks, but through trusting relationships,” she said, as she outlined the programme that supports many inmates.

One participant noted: “I never experienced this level of love, respect and trust before.” She explained that the programme achieves this by offering personalised attention and gradually transitioning residents, so they are not paralysed by the sudden burden of choice.

It addresses multiple areas of need: filling financial gaps through financial literacy, employment support, and debt management; tackling legal issues such as licence renewals and taxation; and restoring psychological agency and relationships, including family reconnection.

Despite public funds being invested in rehabilitation, individuals still face bureaucratic delays in areas such as settling tax debts, opening bank accounts, and securing employment.

The outcome is a renewed sense of responsibility and self-worth. However, navigating this transition is needed on a much larger scale and should not fall solely on a small NGO. 

The RISe Foundation organised the conference to present and reflect on 13 years of evidence-based practice in community-based rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for individuals serving the final stages of their prison sentence.

The event was held in collaboration with the RESCALED movement, a European network advocating for small-scale, community-based correctional approaches as alternatives to traditional incarceration models. It is also supported by funding from the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector through the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme.

The cost of incarceration 

Forensic psychologists Yanika Tabone and Kevin Sammut Henwood provided an overview of the prison system and the work carried out by the RISe Foundation.

Sammut Henwood noted that the estimated daily cost per inmate is around €128, with the current prison population exceeding 500 inmates. He questioned whether this rising cost is translating into meaningful reform for inmates or having a positive impact on victims.

Existing literature consistently suggests that incarceration alone is not an effective solution, as it often leads to a wide range of issues, including medical, psychological, and social challenges.

Research shows that incarceration is not the best solution. Photo: Shutterstock

He shared the story of an inmate who struggled to reintegrate into society after six years in prison without any form of reintegration support. The individual’s greatest difficulty was coping with the “tolerance of stress” required in everyday life - from preparing meals to managing relationships with neighbours and handling workplace issues. Sammut Henwood explained that this reflects a common pattern observed in his work with inmates: a loss of personal self-efficacy.

Tabone then presented findings from a joint study conducted with Sammut Henwood, which proposes a potential model for addressing Malta’s high rate of repeat offending. The study followed 40 inmates who completed the RISe Foundation Malta programme between 2016 and 2021.

The findings showed significant improvements across several areas, including employment, housing, mental health, relationships, and attitudes towards drug use.

Slashing recidivism in half

She highlighted that 86% of Maltese inmates are recidivists – more than eight out of 10 inmates. The research showed that of those who successfully completed the RISe programme the figure dropped to only four in 10 reoffending. 

Among participants who were previously unemployed, 95% secured employment, while reliance on social assistance decreased by 60%. The study also recorded a 45% improvement in avoiding socially inappropriate activities, a 30% shift in attitudes against drug use, and a 43% reduction in the risk of relapse.

Additionally, 80% of participants developed better coping mechanisms for dealing with stress, and half of those who had experienced depressive episodes reported significant recovery. More than 57% stopped associating with criminal peers, instead forming more conventional social networks. Family relationships also improved.

Participants were 28% more likely to feel satisfied with their relationships, 23% more likely to engage with their children, and 55% less likely to report issues related to trust. Overall, most participants showed stronger relationships with partners, children, and parents, alongside increased trust and social connectedness. Interest in education also rose by 40%.

The two forensic psychologists went on to say that the way forward was a system that focused more on  small community-based interventions that tailored to the needs of inmates in the best interest of the community

Ministers' views

Minister for Justice, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima said that reducing reoffending and supporting successful reintegration is in the interest of society. He emphasised the need to keep an open discussion on helping individuals build more positive futures.

Michael Falzon, Minister for Social Policy and Family, said that restorative justice is a symbol of a caring society that is ready to give second chances. He noted that the Ministry has worked with RISe over a number of years and funded its programmes. “When we talk about justice, the most positive aspect is that justice systems are restorative,” he said.

Home Affairs Minister Glenn Beddingfield added that acknowledging the complex realities faced by offenders does not diminish accountability, but rather shapes the structure of rehabilitation. He spoke about the importance of building correctional facilities that combine responsibility with opportunity, where preparing individuals for life after prison is an essential part of the journey, not an afterthought.