15-Year-Old Held In Isolation For Over 21 Days As Court Dismisses Application

A court has rejected a legal challenge filed on behalf of a 15-year-old boy whose lawyers say has spent more than three weeks in isolation, confined to his cell for 22 hours a day and allowed only limited contact with others.

According to Times of Malta, the teenager’s defence had filed an urgent habeas corpus application, arguing that the conditions amounted to unlawful detention. However, the court dismissed the request after the prosecution successfully argued that it had been filed under the wrong provision of the Criminal Code.

According to his parents, the boy was arrested just five days after his 15th birthday and was initially taken to Corradino Correctional Facility before being transferred to the Young Offenders Rehabilitation Services facility.

The family claims he spent several days in Division 6, a high-security unit within Corradino, before eventually being moved to YORS, where he remains in an isolation room.

His lawyers argue that the teenager is confined to his room for 22 hours a day and only allowed out for two hours to shower, clean his room and play pool with a guard. They also say his parents are only permitted to visit him once a week for two hours.

During a visit, the teenager allegedly told his parents that he was placed in isolation after becoming distressed during the prison intake process and punching a wall.

The family disputes suggestions that the measure was linked to mental health concerns, insisting he had no history of self-harm or psychological difficulties.

Defence lawyers criticised the court’s decision, arguing that procedural technicalities had been prioritised over concerns about the treatment of a minor in custody.

Magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace ruled in favour of the prosecution and dismissed the application.

The prosecution was led by Inspectors Muhamed Shurrab and Italo Mizzi, assisted by lawyers Dejan Darmanin and Mauro Abela on behalf of the Attorney General. Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Clint Tabone appeared for the minor, while lawyer Alex Scerri Herrera represented the prison authorities.

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Dylan Attard

Dylan Attard is a Social Media Executive at Lovin Malta and a proud Gozitan with a passion for digital media, content creation, and social trends. Outside of work, you’ll usually find him at the gym, watching series or doomscrolling.