7. 7. Plaid Cymru Debate: Superprisons

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:21 pm on 20 September 2017.

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Photo of Lee Waters Lee Waters Labour 6:21, 20 September 2017

As I said, I think the evidence is mixed. There’s conflicting evidence on the point and, as I said, my personal prejudice is against superprisons. I chaired a public meeting in Wrexham at the time of the debate there, and did some work to oppose the prison in Wrexham. So, that’s my strong inclination. However, to be fair, we’re looking at the evidence, it’s not a clear picture, and I think we need to spend more time establishing the true picture and our position on it.

As I was just about to say, the economic case isn’t clear cut either. People argue the megaprison will bring new jobs both in the construction and in staffing required. But, as we’ve previously discussed in this Chamber, without reform to procurement rules, projects of this size often see jobs imported from outside the area, and if Swansea and Cardiff prisons close then the job impact will quickly disappear.

We’re also selling off this land like it’s got no other worth or potential, and, as Jenny Rathbone has already indicated today, there are indications from Mark Barry’s blueprint—his version of the south Wales metro network concept, which I think is an exciting vision—that this land could well be an important part of reducing journey times between Swansea and Cardiff and beyond. So, that should also be a key factor. Now, that again is at an early stage and we’re not clear how that will develop. So, I think we need to deal with these issues before we sign off this deal. Until we have this debate—crucially, the debate about the type of country we want to see and the justice system we want to see—in passing—[Interruption.] I’m just closing; I’m sorry, Leanne.