The case of Maltese " Detention Centers": an Analysis

The aim of the present work is to highlight the case of Maltese detention centers, born as governmental administrative structures, but which are characterized as “waiting” detention facilities, forcing the occupants to live for a long time in inadequate sanitary and humanitarian conditions. The research investigated the actual knowledge of the situation of migrants by the Maltese, the processes of ghettoization, and the perception of urban security, in the event of a possible closure of these detention centers. The elaboration of a questionnaire allowed the collection of data on the alienation and isolation process of immigrants and the correlation with the detention systems set up at government level. The awareness-raising interventions on the matter are, however, suitable results and useful to moderate the forms of social stereotype. Future research will have to investigate the interconnections present on the topic, increasing the number of variables and subjects involved in the measurement.