Chief Inspector and Ombudsman explore conditions for Welsh prisoners

22 May 2018

The Welsh Affairs Committee holds the fourth evidence session of its inquiry into prison provision.

This session sees the Committee seek the perspectives of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons and the Acting Prisons and Probation Ombudsman on key issues relating to criminal justice in Wales.

Healthcare and Welsh language provision

Criminal justice in Wales is currently the responsibility of the UK Government. Welsh adult offenders in receipt of custodial or community sentences are the responsibility of Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service, an executive agency that operates across England and Wales, under the Ministry of Justice.

The Welsh Government has jurisdiction over policy areas such as health, education, housing and substance misuse. For public prisons, prison healthcare is implemented by the NHS, whilst prison education is directly funded by the Welsh Government.

In this session, the Committee considers the treatment of and conditions for Welsh prisoners, and examine issues such as healthcare, deaths in prison and Welsh language provision. The Committee also asks the witnesses about the overall performance of Welsh prisons.

Witnesses

Tuesday 22 May, Committee Room 8, Palace of Westminster

From 2.15pm 

Peter Clarke, Chief Inspector of Prisons, HM Inspectorate of Prisons
Elizabeth Moody, Acting Prisons and Probations Ombudsman

Chair's comments

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

"Our inquiry so far has raised a number of key questions relating to criminal justice in Wales, covering areas such as prison services, the potential for new prisons, and Welsh language provision.
The perspectives of the Chief Inspector and Acting Ombudsman on these matters will inform our inquiry as it continues, and we examine what more our prisons can do to ensure all prisoners are given the best chance of rehabilitation."

Further information

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