Marsa, Malta

Marsa Initial Reception Center

Status

Closed/ceased migrant detention

2024

Type: Secure reception centre (Administrative)

Custodial Authority: Not Available

Management: Agency for the Welfare of Asylum-seekers (AWAS) (Governmental)

Detains: Asylum seekers (administrative), Families, Accompanied minors, Adult women, Unaccompanied minors, Adult men, Undocumented migrants (administrative)

Capacity Reported population Conditions complaints?
238
18

5 October 2025

YES

2020

Malta

1,705

Migration Detainees

380

Migration Detainee Entries

To country overview
ABOUT

“Marsa Initial Reception Centre (IRC), based in an old public school, where the detained population is largely composed of family units and children. It is not formally categorised as a detention centre, since a section within the centre is open and allows the residents’ free entry and exit. However, there is also a closed component to the IRC where persons are effectively deprived of their liberty.”


FACILITY NAMES
Marsa Initial Reception Center
Location

Country: Malta

City & Region: Marsa, Malta, Europe

Latitude, Longitude: 35.878186, 14.496703

Contact Information
Xatt Il Mollijiet
Il-Marsa
Malta

MANAGEMENT & BUDGET

Center Status
Status
Year
Closed/ceased migrant detention
2024
In use
2023
In use
2022
In use
2020
In use
2018
In use
2017
Facility type
Category
Type
Year
Administrative
Secure reception centre
2020
Administrative
Secure reception centre
2018
Administrative
Secure reception centre
2017
National typology
Official Typology
Year
Initial reception center
2020
Initial Reception Center
2018
Initial Reception Center
2017
Management
Management
Type
Year
Agency for the Welfare of Asylum-seekers (AWAS)
Governmental
2023
Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers (AWAS)
Governmental
2020
Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers (AWAS)
Governmental
2017
Operating Period
Year of entry
Year ceased
2015

DETAINEES

Demographics

Families

2023

Accompanied minors

2023

Adult women

2023

Unaccompanied minors

2023

Adult men

2023

Accompanied minors

2022

Families

2022

Adult women

2022

Adult men

2022

Adult women

2021

Families

2021

Adult men

2021

Accompanied minors

2021

Accompanied minors

2020

Families

2020

Adult women

2020

Adult men

2020

Disabled persons

2020
Categories of detainees

Undocumented migrants (administrative)

2018

Asylum seekers (administrative)

2018
Countries of Origin

Country #1 Syria

Country #2 Guinea

2023
At-Risk Populations

Asylum seekers

2023

SIZE & POPULATION

Capacity (specialised migration-related facility)

Type Standard capacity

Capacity 238

2023

Type Standard capacity

Capacity 350

2021

Type Standard capacity

Capacity 350

2020
Reported Single-Day Migration Detainee Population at Facility (day)
Number
Date
18
5 October 2025
127
22 September 2020
Reports of Detainee Overpopulation at Facility

Yes

2020

LENGTH OF DETENTION

Detention Timeframe (long, medium, short)

Length Medium-term (4-20 days)

2018
Average Days in Detention

Number of Days 3

2017
Overstays

Reported Overstays Yes

2018

OUTCOMES

CONDITIONS

Overall Inspection Score

Minimum Standards (“Good,” “Acceptable,” or “Meets Standards”)

2023

Deficient (“Deficient” or “At Risk”)

2020
Inadequate conditions
Inadequate Conditions
Obvs. Date
2020
2020
2020
2020
2020
2020
2020
2020

CARCERAL INDICATORS

Carceral Environment

No

2023

Yes

2020
External Security Regime

Secure

2020

Secure

2018

Secure

STAFF

Number of Staff

31

2023

SEGREGATION

Gender Segregation

Yes

2023

No

2020
Age Segregation

No

2020
Legal Segregation

Not Applicable

2018
Family Segregation

No

2021

CELLS

At Least Three Square Meters Per Detainee

No

2023

No

2020
Security/Isolation Cells

Yes

2020
Equipped (beds, tables, shelves, chairs)

Yes

2023

Partially

2020
Detainees Per Cell

26

2023

16

2021
Maximum Time in Security/Isolation Cells (hours)

No Limit

2021

COMMUNAL SPACE & ACTIVITIES

Outdoor Space

No

2020
Hours Outdoor Space Accessible

0

2020
Leisure Equipment

No

2020
Activities/Education for Children

No

2020
Skills Development for Adults

Yes

2023

No

2020
Language Classes

Yes

2023

No

2020
Possibility to Prepare Own Meals

Yes

2023

HEALTH

Medical Screening upon Arrival (within 48 hours)

Yes

2023

Yes

2020
Doctor on Duty

At least once a week

2023
Nurse on Duty

Daily

2023

At least once a week

2020
Psychologist Visits

At least once a week

2023

No regular visits

2020
Inadequate health provisions
Inadequate Health Provisions
Obvs. Date
Psychological careChildren's health
2020

MONITORING & ACCESS

Lawyer Access

No

2023
Monitors & Civil Society Access
Access?
Type of Institution
Obsv. Date
Yes
UN High Commissioner for Refugees
2018
Yes
National non-governmental groups
2018
Family Access

No

2023
Consular Access

No

2023

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Access to Telephones

Limited

2020
Access to Personal Cell Phones

No

2020