Facilities for Welsh female and high-risk prisoners examined

22 February 2018

The Welsh Affairs Committee holds the first session of its inquiry into prison provision in Wales.

This session sees the Committee examine the quality of provision for Welsh prisoners and the potential for new prisons, with two panels featuring experts and prison reform campaign groups.

In this opening session of its inquiry, the Committee focuses on cross-border issues, which arise when Welsh offenders are imprisoned in England, and vice-versa. The Committee considers the case for placing prisoners closer to their homes, and the impact of doing so on rehabilitation and reoffending. The Committee also examines facilities for female prisoners from Wales, as well as the provision of services such as health, education and rehabilitation.

No facilities

Criminal justice in Wales is the responsibility of the UK Government, and currently there are five prisons in Wales: HMP Berwyn, HMP Cardiff, HMP/YOI Parc, HMP Swansea and HMP Usk/Prescoed.

There are no facilities in Wales that can accommodate female or 'Category A' high-risk prisoners. All prisons are located in South Wales, with the exception of HMP Berwyn which is based in Wrexham.

Witnesses

Tuesday 27 February, Committee Room 6, Palace of Westminster

At 2.15pm

David Fraser, author and former Senior Probation Officer
Dr Caroline Hughes, Senior Lecturer, Wrexham Glyndwr University
Dr Robert Jones, Lecturer, University of South Wales
Dr Alyson Rees, Senior Lecturer, Cardiff University

At 3.15pm

Frances Crook OBE, Chief Executive, The Howard League for Penal Reform
Dr Thomas Guiney, Senior Programme Manager, Prison Reform Trust
Dr Kate Paradine, Chief Executive, Women in Prison

Chair's comments

Ahead of the session, Committee Chairman David T.C. Davies MP said:

"Since the Committee last examined the issue of prisons in Wales, we have seen new facilities opened, and more planned. It is therefore vital that the system effectively serves those sent there for rehabilitation. We are looking forward to examining these issues, and hearing from our panels about what more the Ministry of Justice can do to ensure that prisoners are given the best chance of reform."

Further information

Image: PA