MPs to question Minister Lord Timpson on prisons, probation and rehabilitation in Wales
The Welsh Affairs Committee will question Prisons Minister Lord Timpson in the final session of its prisons, probation and rehabilitation in Wales inquiry. Also giving evidence will be Ian Barrow from HM Prisons and Probation Service, who leads on the executive agency’s work in Wales.
Meeting details
The inquiry has been examining how the UK Government takes Wales into account when delivering criminal justice services, and with key intersecting services like health, education and housing devolved to Cardiff, how the UK and Welsh governments work together to support offenders and prison leavers.
The session will be a chance for the Committee to ask about issues raised so far in the inquiry including in relation to the Welsh Language Commissioner’s ongoing investigation into HMPPS and the rights of Welsh-speaking inmates across the prison estate, and the Ministry of Justice’s commitment to providing Wales-specific justice data.
Members could also ask about standards and prisoner welfare at HMP Parc, given the widespread concerns that the Committee has heard about the pace of reforms and improvements at the prison in Bridgend, and about plans for the Residential Women’s Centre in Swansea.
There could also be discussion about pressures on the probation service in Wales, the performance of the youth justice service and how prison leavers are being supported in terms of housing and employment.
Lord Timpson and Mr Barrow previously appeared before the Committee in December last year for a session on HMP Parc.