NEWS | Wednesday, 24 December 2008

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‘Vandalised within minutes’

A spokesman for the Ministry of Home Affairs replies to MaltaToday’s questions regarding sanitary conditions at the Hal Far detention centre’s tent compound

Electricity
This simple low-powered system was installed because electrical systems are a favourite target of tampering by the illegal immigrants. The system thus reduces the risk of injury through electrical shock in such a way that it cannot absorb any load other than simple lighting, i.e. any heating element introduced into the system would immediately cut the power.

Toilets
The two shower and toilet facilities at the Tent Compound were totally refurbished during the first quarter of this year at considerable expense. Such refurbishment included extensive re-tiling, replacement of all electrical services including wiring, lighting and water heaters, repair of all plumbing and drains and installation of new fixtures such as shower heads and mixers, water taps/mixers, wash-hand basins. Furthermore, aluminium partitions were installed in the showers.
Unfortunately, notwithstanding our efforts to keep the ablutions in working order, immigrants tend to vandalise these facilities as a matter of course. The water heaters were incidentally checked last week as per the usual routine and found to be in good working order.

Hygiene
As to cleanliness, this is left to the immigrants themselves who are each given copious supplies of detergents and cleaning materials on a monthly basis.
Ceramic wash-hand basins were replaced with large fibre basins to allow immigrants to wash their clothes in them. However, a large majority of immigrants preferred to use them as baths and climbed physically inside them instead of using the showers on site. The result is that all fibre bowls are now in a state of disrepair and need to be replaced. However, immigrants still receive personal hygiene items on a fortnight/monthly basis, including soap for washing clothes. One should also mention that earlier attempts to introduce sturdy washing machines inside detention compounds resulted in these being damaged beyond repair after a mere 12 hours.

Leaky tents
The reference to tents leaking profusely is a complex matter. At the end of summer Detention Service personnel were detailed to replace certain tents which appeared to be in bad condition. A number of immigrants refused to have their tents replaced with new ones preferring the old tents because in their opinion they provided better ventilation. It is these tents which are leaking. These are now in the process of being replaced with mobile homes.

Food
Food is provided daily by a private caterer. It is changed every day according to a 14-day menu that was compiled with the direct involvement of the immigrants themselves. In fact, out of a number of options, the immigrants preferred pasta and rice on alternate days for lunch (served with a different sauce every day) and beef, meat, fish and chicken for dinner served in different ways every evening. Dinner is usually served with chips as all other forms of vegetables were refused.
Plastic cutlery of a durable type is given to immigrants on arrival but these are usually thrown away. Other disposable plastic cutlery is given to immigrants on a regular basis. One should highlight, however, that the use of cutlery is generally frowned upon by immigrants, especially by East Africans. The tendency of immigrants to eat food with their bare hands is thus a traditional and cultural issue.

Vermin
The rodent problem stems from the fact that the tent compound is located in an open area surrounded by countryside. In order to control rodents in areas occupied by immigrants, the Detention Services contracted a private company to provide rodent control coverage. Since then, the rodent problem has improved and now appears to be under control.

Clothing
Clothing and footwear are provided to immigrants on a seasonal basis. Indeed, the amount of clothing provided by NGOs to immigrants is such that immigrants prefer to dispose of clothing rather than wash it.

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