Victims’ anger at prisoner amnesty

Victims of crime are “shocked” that the people who wronged them are being given an amnesty allowing them to get away with a lighter punishment without having done anything to deserve it. “When the [Home Affairs] minister went to prison and exposed the inefficiencies there earlier this year, I thought that was great. But now I am shocked to hear about this amnesty. Anyone who steps into court will clearly see there are more victims than prisoners suffering due to the inefficiencies of the system,” a victim of crime told Times of Malta. Roberta Lepre from Victim Support Malta said amnesties – like the one announced by Government this week - “impinge on the victims’ right to reparation, while also undermining the rule of law.” This comment was backed up by criminologist Sandra Scicluna who believes general amnesties do no justice to the victims. “It is also unfair on society since the courts impose a decision that is then changed because there is interference,” she said. But Maria Muscat, whose boyfriend is currently serving a 10-year jail term, sees things differently. “This amnesty gives us hope… People in prison are usually forgotten. I understand there are people out there who...