Prisons

Part of 2. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services – in the Senedd at 2:49 pm on 13 June 2018.

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Photo of David Rees David Rees Labour 2:49, 13 June 2018

Thank you for that answer, Cabinet Secretary. I've got a quote from the second paragraph:

'Prisons in Wales are performing less well than prisons in England on a range of prison safety measures. The number of recorded self-harm incidents and prison assaults in Wales has increased at a higher rate than...in England.'

In fact HMP Parc had more incidents than any other prison in England and Wales. That surely shows, and the data within the report shows, the chaotic state and nature of the prison service in Wales at this point in time. In fact, it has a detrimental impact upon Welsh prisoners and their families and their lives when they leave prison as a consequence of that. It actually only goes to highlight the abject stupidity of the MOJ putting forward a proposal for a prison in Baglan, which is off the agenda now. But, your statement on 6 April stated that you wanted meaningful discussions on the future of penal policy in Wales with the MOJ, to ensure that we have a Welsh solution for Welsh prisoners. How far has that gone with the MOJ? Have you had discussions with the MOJ on the devolution of the penal system so that we can ensure that Welsh prisoners get the support and services they need closer to home, nearer their families, and are not being housed in some warehouse somewhere else?