Committee publication · Correspondence · 2 July 2025
Correspondence from the HM Chief Inspector of Prisons to the Chair dated 10 June 2025 relating to the 21 May evidence session on Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales
From: Welsh Affairs Committee
Summary
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor responds to the Welsh Affairs Committee's 28 May letter regarding prisons, probation and rehabilitation in Wales. He addresses Welsh language provision inconsistencies across Welsh prisons, infrastructure challenges including overcrowding and security weaknesses, and maintenance priorities, noting that while some establishments like HMP Parc offer excellent Welsh services, others like HMP Berwyn and HMP Styal fall short significantly.
Key findings
- Welsh language provision is inconsistent: HMP Parc provides excellent support with a full-time Welsh language worker; HMP Swansea offers good access; but HMP Berwyn has no Welsh-speaking prison officers, and HMP Styal had minimal Welsh-language materials despite 30 Welsh prisoners
- HMI Prisons offers Welsh-language survey materials and inspection processes but proposes the Welsh Language Commissioner work directly with the prison service to develop a bespoke survey rather than HMIP creating one unilaterally
- Physical infrastructure challenges mirror those in England, with reception prisons facing severe overcrowding; HMP Cardiff has nearly two-thirds of population in overcrowded cells
- Drug trafficking via drones at HMP Parc represents a destabilising security threat, with 31% of randomly tested prisoners positive for drug use and 57% reporting easy access to illicit drugs; window replacement is critical
- Governors must prioritise fire safety works first; repairs directly impacting safety and security (such as cell windows at Parc) should be urgent priority alongside overcrowding reduction
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Charlie Taylor, Ruth Jones MP, Welsh Affairs Committee, HM Inspectorate of Prisons, Welsh Language Commissioner, HMPPS, Novus Gower
Notable line
“… the proportion of randomly selected prisoners testing positive for drug use at Parc was high, at 31% at our last inspection.”
Key Quotes
“We found excellent Welsh language provision at HMP Parc, where a full-time Welsh language support worker championed the language through online radio tutorials and one-to-one engagement with other Welsh-speaking staff and prisoners.”
“… at HMP Berwyn we found that insufficient attention had been given to Welsh speaking prisoners, for example none of the POMS were able to work with Welsh-speakers.”
“I am supportive of efforts to increase the focus on Welsh language within prisons. However, an additional bespoke survey to gather information about Welsh language services at establishments and help to drive improvement is something I suggest the Welsh Language Commissioner works directly with the prison service to develop.”
“It was clear just how much of a destabilising effect this was having on the prison - the proportion of randomly selected prisoners testing positive for drug use at Parc was high, at 31% at our last inspection.”
“In our survey, 57% of respondents said that it was easy to get illicit drugs in the prison.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗