Synopsis: |
The Committee undertook this inquiry, 'Welsh Prisoners in the Prison Estate (HC 74)', to address concerns about the imprisonment of Welsh prisoners outside of Wales. At present there are only four prisons in Wales, all in the South, and there is little provision for juveniles and no prisons for women. The overcrowding means that Welsh prisoners have a reduced chance of serving their sentence near home and reduces the chances of successful resettlement on release.The Committee believe there should be new prison places in North Wales, separate provision for young offenders, and a new approach to women prisoners along the lines suggested by Baroness Corston. The report also addresses concerns about support services for mental illness amongst prisoners, the amount of Welsh language provision available, and education services. |