Updated: Call for audit of purchases at the prisons - ministry reacts

The shadow minister for home affairs, Michael Falzon, has called for an independent audit of the way the prison authorities make their purchases, claiming there is blatant abuse. Speaking at a press conference this morning, he said the prisons lacked a purchasing structure where no calls for tenders or quotations were made. Asked for specifics, he mentioned the case of a person in the accounts department at the prisons who, he said, purchases items from a shopowner who is a relative. There was also a case, he said, where a prison employee received a fine while using an official car, and the fine was paid by the office and passed off as vehicle maintenance. Dr Falzon also questioned the recruitment process at the prisons and called for transparency. He asked why the process was handled by a selection board with the Director of Prisons not involved. DRUGS Dr Falzon said the problem of drug abuse at the prisons persisted, and  Divisions 12 and 13 were 'awash' with drugs. He said that Division 6, which is supposed to be the maximum security section, is even housing prisoners for minor cases. Dr Falzon said the prisons were continuing to suffer a severe shortage of staff. In one...