Malta’s Parliament has passed a new law aimed at helping former prisoners reintegrate into society.As part of this reform, prisoners will be able to request a supplementary certificate of conduct from a rehabilitation board.This will detail the programmes the ex-prisoner participated in during their sentence and provide an account of their behaviour.The certificate is intended to serve as official evidence of rehabilitation efforts that former prisoners can then show to third parties as they attempt to reintegrate into society.The timeframes for ex-prisoners to clean their police conducts have also been shortened – with the maximum now five years, and this for crimes with convictions of more than ten years in prison. Fines will no longer appear on the record once they are paid.However, if people are sentenced for a crime that has since been decriminalised, they will be able to request its immediate expungement from their record.Certain crimes – such as crimes against humanity, recidivism in theft, fraud, drug trafficking, crimes against government security, slander and perjury and gender-based or domestic violence – cannot be expunged.“We are proud to introduce a law that reflects our shared commitment to restorative justice and social reintegration,” Justice Minister Jonathan Attard said.“This reform is a milestone in recognising the dignity of individuals who have served their sentence and demonstrated genuine rehabilitation.”“Through the introduction of the Rehabilitation Certificate and the streamlining of conduct records, we are creating a more just and inclusive society—one that values second chances and encourages institutions to support reintegration. This is not just a legal reform; it is a statement of our values.”•