Committees

Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales

Inquiry

Criminal justice in Wales exists within a unique policy environment, with prisons, probation and rehabilitation reserved to the UK Government, and key intersecting services like health, education and housing devolved to the Welsh Government.

Wales is also unique in that, despite having five adult male prison facilities and a young offender institution, it has no prison for adult women.

This inquiry is looking at the challenges and opportunities that are presented by this unique constitutional arrangement, examining where the UK and Welsh Governments are working well together, as well as identifying areas for improvement.

It will also consider the UK Government’s recent criminal justice policy initiatives, assessing the extent to which they have been tailored to meet the needs of Welsh offenders.

The Committee invites written submissions addressing any or all of the following areas:

  1. To what extent does UK Government policy and associated missions, as they relate to offender management, take Wales' public service delivery landscape into account?
  2. How effective are the intergovernmental relations between the UK and Welsh Governments - and their associated agencies - when it comes to supporting Welsh offenders?
  3. How suitable is the Welsh prison estate for keeping prisoners healthy, safe and ensuring they can access effective rehabilitation services?
  4. How effective are offender management services - both in custody and the community - in reducing reoffending and keeping offenders and the public safe, and are Welsh perspectives sufficiently accounted for during the commissioning of such services?
  5. Is there sufficient clarity, co-ordination and co-operation between government agencies, the private sector and third sector organisations involved in offender management and rehabilitation in Wales?
  6. How does the lack of a women's prison in Wales impact upon the experiences and rehabilitation of Welsh women offenders?
  7. To what extent is there parity between the services available to prisoners in England and those available to prisoners in Wales, including access to Welsh language services?

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was 11:59pm on 28 March 2025.

Upcoming events

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No upcoming events scheduled

Past events

Wednesday 17 December 2025
2:00pm Private
2:30pm Public
Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales - Oral evidence 17 December 2025
2:30pm
  • The Lord Timpson OBE DL (Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending at Ministry of Justice)
  • Mr Ian Barrow (Executive Director for HMPPS Wales at HMPPS)
Room 16, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 3 December 2025
2:00pm Private
2:30pm Public
Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales - Oral evidence 3 December 2025
2:30pm
  • Martin Jones CBE (Chief Inspector of Probation at HM Inspectorate of Probation)
  • Keith Fraser (Chair at Youth Justice Board)
  • Adrian Usher (Prisons and probation ombudsman at Prisons and Probation Ombudsman)
  • Efa Gruffudd Jones (Welsh Language Commissioner at Comisiynydd y Gymraeg / Welsh Language Commissioner)
3:30pm
  • Bryn Hall (Area Engagement and Partnerships Manager for Wales at Clinks)
  • Lucy Russell (Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Women in Prison)
The Macmillan Room, Portcullis House
Wednesday 12 November 2025
2:00pm Private
2:30pm Public
Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales - Oral evidence 12 November 2025
2:30pm
  • Alun Jones (Chief Executive at Healthcare Inspectorate Wales)
  • Rhys Jones (Director of Assurance at Healthcare Inspectorate Wales)
  • Rachel Thomas (Director of Operations: Primary, Community and Intermediate Care Clinical Board at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board)
3:15pm
  • Katie Dalton (Director at Cymorth Cymru)
  • Chloe Marshall (Operations Manager at Nacro)
  • Stephanie Rogers-Lewis (Accommodation and Support Manager at Cardiff Council)
Room 16, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 29 October 2025
2:00pm Private
2:30pm Public
Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales - Oral evidence 29 October 2025
2:30pm
  • Jon Collins (Chief Executive at Prisoners’ Education Trust)
  • Anne-Marie Rogan (Cymru Business Development Manager at St Giles Trust)
  • Jassa Scott (Strategic Director at Estyn)
3:15pm
  • Nick Millington (Route Director for Wales and Borders at Network Rail)
  • Scott Davies (Contracts Supervisor at Rowecord Total Access Ltd)
  • Dawn Jevons (Social Value Manager for Wales at Galliford Try)
Room 16, Palace of Westminster

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We receive a significant number of emails each day. All requests and invitations are considered but we do not respond directly to everyone. Please be aware, the committee does not look at individual cases or specific complaints.