The Palace of the Inquisitor

One of the interesting visits in Malta was the Palace of the Inquisitor.  Here is the place where local authorities represented the pope in matters of civil law and in keeping the peace.  It included a prison where some were held - usually in a very humane setting when someone broke the law.  The Roman inquisitor appealed to the pope himself.  Many jobs were available to the prisoners and each prisoner had the right to a lawyer.  If they were convinced you were guilty of a crime but you failed to admit it, you could be subject to torture methods.  However, a doctor had to discern whether you were fit enough to undergo it.  This was used as a court of appeals.  It was a medieval prison and prisoners had to sign an agreement never to disclose anything that you experienced inside the prison. Fortunately both faith and civility played a part in insuring that prisoners were well treated, had plenty of fresh air and had the right to representation.  Though some were tortured in this prison, none died while imprisoned.