1st Special Report - Prisons in Wales and the treatment of Welsh offenders: Government Response to the Committee's Fourth Report of Session 2014-15

This is 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