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Select committee: Welsh Affairs Committee

Prisons in Wales and treatment of Welsh offenders inquiry

Closed Opened 19 May 2014 Closed 10 Sep 2015

Welsh Affairs Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗

Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
Background There are currently four prisons in Wales, although no facilities for either female or high risk offenders and limited facilities for young offenders. In addition, Welsh prisoners are affected by other issues, such as Welsh language provision and the provision of services by both non-devolved and devolved government bodies. In 2013 the Ministry of Justice announced plans to build a large prison at the former Firestone factory site in Wrexham. The new prison is the first in North Wales and, with a capacity of around 2,000, will be the largest in the UK. The Government has not confirmed which type of prisoners will be held in the new prison in respect of age, gender or security level. In March 2014 the Silk Commission recommended the devolution of the youth justice system (for offenders between 10 and 17 years old) and a study to investigate the possible devolution of justice and prisons. Terms of reference: Prisons in Wales and treatment of Welsh offenders

Where it stands

The inquiry is closed, opened 19 May 2014.

The committee has published 1 report, most recently 4th Report - Prisons in Wales and the treatment of Welsh offenders on 20 March 2015.

The government's response

Published 10 September 2015.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government says it has given the report "careful consideration", agrees with the Committee on some recommendations, including on learning from previous prison openings and on cooperation with the Welsh Government, and sets out its approach on crowding, Welsh language provision and women offenders.

  • On crowding, the government says it is "unable to significantly reduce the number of prisoners sharing cells that have been safely adapted for this purpose", citing "the need to make savings in public expenditure". It points to 387 new places at HMP Parc and the North Wales prison.
  • On the North Wales prison, the government "agrees" that lessons from previous openings should be learned, and says prisoners will be received in weekly cohorts of 50-60. It states it will be "at least a year" before the prison is at full capacity.
  • On Welsh language, the government "agrees" that improvements are needed in data collection. It says a Welsh language Agency Instruction will require prisons to ask prisoners on reception about a Welsh speaking preference, and "it is intended" to introduce it "early next year".
  • On the Soroptimists International report on women's offending, the government states there are "no plans for a formal government response". It also describes refurbishment at HMP/YOI Eastwood Park, with two residential units "due to open in the summer".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error

Reports

All reports

Evidence

  • 5 oral evidence sessionsLatest 24 February 2015
All evidence

Recent activity

Reports

1 report

Oral evidence sessions

5 sessions

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Date Session and witnesses Source
24 Feb 2015
Oral evidence session
No witnesses recorded 		View ↗
5 Feb 2015
Oral evidence session
No witnesses recorded 		View ↗
20 Jan 2015
Oral evidence session
No witnesses recorded 		View ↗
13 Jan 2015
Oral evidence session
No witnesses recorded 		View ↗
28 Oct 2014
Oral evidence session
No witnesses recorded 		View ↗