Committee publication · Correspondence · 23 May 2025
Correspondence from the Chair to Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice dated 23 May 2025 relating to the Independent Sentencing Review
From: Welsh Affairs Committee
Summary
The Welsh Affairs Committee Chair writes to the Lord Chancellor welcoming the Independent Sentencing Review's findings on rehabilitation and non-custodial sentences. She highlights Recommendation 6.2 on sustainable funding for Women's Centres and raises concern that a planned Residential Women's Centre in Swansea has stalled since the last government, calling for urgent prioritisation given Welsh female offenders are held far from home.
Key findings
- The Independent Sentencing Review supports increased use of non-custodial sentences and identifies rehabilitative programmes in communities as 'the most effective way to reduce reoffending'
- Recommendation 6.2 calls for sustainable, long-term funding to Women's Centres, described as playing a 'critical role' in supporting female offenders
- Nearly a third of HMP Eastwood Park's population are Welsh female offenders held at significant distance from family and support services due to absence of a women's prison in Wales
- Plans for a Residential Women's Centre in Swansea announced under the previous government with expected 2024 opening have stalled; Ministry of Justice states it is 'continuing to consider plans'
- Committee demands government accept the Review's recommendations and prioritise getting the Swansea centre operational urgently
Tone
CriticalTopics
criminal-justiceprisonsrehabilitationgenderdevolved-nations
Key actors
Ruth Jones MP, Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP, Welsh Affairs Committee, Ministry of Justice, HMP Eastwood Park
Notable line
“The lack of a women's prison in Wales means that Welsh female offenders are often held in prisons that are a significant distance from their family, friends …”
Key Quotes
“'the most effective way to reduce reoffending'.”
“'provide more sustainable and long -term funding to Women's Centres' …”
“… playing a 'critical role in directing female offenders in the criminal justice system to valued practical and emotional help'.”
“The lack of a women's prison in Wales means that Welsh female offenders are often held in prisons that are a significant distance from their family, friends, and the support services they will need to engage with once they return to their communities.”
“'continuing to consider plans' for the centre. My …”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗