Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales

Welsh Affairs Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 5 Feb 2025 Parliament page
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 … Read more
20 Recommendations
22 Conclusions
2 Reports
5 Oral sessions
26 Letters
5 Events
Activity timeline 34 events
15 Jun
2026
Correspondence
9 Jun
2026
Report published
5 Jun
2026
Correspondence
3 Jun
2026
Report published
22 Apr
2026
Correspondence
30 Mar
2026
Report published
11 Mar
2026
Correspondence
28 Jan
2026
Correspondence
28 Jan
2026
Correspondence
28 Jan
2026
Correspondence
28 Jan
2026
Correspondence
28 Jan
2026
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
17 Dec 2025
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Oral evidence
Mr Ian Barrow · HMPPS The Lord Timpson OBE DL · Ministry of Justice
3 Dec 2025
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Oral evidence
Adrian Usher · Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) Bryn Hall · Clinks Efa Gruffudd Jones · Comisiynydd y Gymraeg / Welsh Language Commissioner Keith Fraser · Public Chairs’ Forum Lucy Russell · Women in Prison Martin Jones CBE · HM Inspectorate of Probation
12 Nov 2025
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Oral evidence
Alun Jones · Healthcare Inspectorate Wales Chloe Marshall · Nacro Katie Dalton · Cymorth Cymru Rachel Thomas · Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Rhys Jones · Healthcare Inspectorate Wales Stephanie Rogers-Lewis · Cardiff Council
29 Oct 2025
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Oral evidence
Anne-Marie Rogan · St Giles Trust Dawn Jevons · Galliford Try Jassa Scott · Estyn Jon Collins · Prisoners' Education Trust Nick Millington · Network Rail Scott Davies · Rowecord Total Access Ltd
21 May 2025
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Oral evidence
Charlie Taylor · HM Inspectorate of Prisons Elisabeth Davies · Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) Gethin Jones · Public and Commercial Services Union Hugh McDyer · UNISON Cymru Su McConnel · Napo Cymru Terry McCarthy · Prison Officers’ Association
Title HC No. Published Items Response
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitati… HC 137 9 Jun 2026 42 Pending
3rd Report - The Future of HMP Parc HC 702 30 Mar 2026 0 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
42 results
1 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We heard mixed evidence when it came to ensuring that Ministry of Justice policy reflected...
We heard mixed evidence when it came to ensuring that Ministry of Justice policy reflected the specific needs of Wales and Welsh people. While some witnesses told us that there was a disconnect between policymakers in Whitehall and service users … Read more
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2 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice engage and co-ordinate with the Welsh Government and...
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice engage and co-ordinate with the Welsh Government and its associated agencies as early as possible when formulating policy, adopting co-design and co-commissioning approaches where feasible, so as to ensure that policy meets the … Read more
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3 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We are pleased to hear that there is a positive, productive and effective working relationship...
We are pleased to hear that there is a positive, productive and effective working relationship between the UK and Welsh Governments as it relates to supporting and managing offenders in Wales, and we welcome the development of initiatives, such as … Read more
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4 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We recommend that the UK and Welsh Governments continue to develop innovative ways of co-operating,...
We recommend that the UK and Welsh Governments continue to develop innovative ways of co-operating, collaborating and co-commissioning, drawing on feedback from stakeholders and officials as to where closer collaboration may be needed. As part of this work, we call … Read more
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5 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We recognise that the justice system in Wales has been under immense strain in recent...
We recognise that the justice system in Wales has been under immense strain in recent years—peaking in the summer of 2024 when demand for prison places came concerningly close to exceeding supply—and agree with Minister Timpson that it is best … Read more
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6 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We recommend that the UK Government continues to prioritise bringing stability to the prisons and...
We recommend that the UK Government continues to prioritise bringing stability to the prisons and probation service, but that this be balanced with meeting its manifesto commitment to explore and consider the devolution of probation and youth justice to the … Read more
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7 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We, like our predecessors, have long called for the publication of Wales- specific justice data...
We, like our predecessors, have long called for the publication of Wales- specific justice data and we welcome the Department’s decision to publish an annual Wales-specific justice data release, as well as its commitment to publish further datasets relating to … Read more
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8 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We call on the Ministry of Justice to continue its engagement with the Wales Governance...
We call on the Ministry of Justice to continue its engagement with the Wales Governance Centre and the Welsh Government regarding the publication of Wales-specific justice data. As part of this work, the Department should provide us with annual written … Read more
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9 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
The imprisonment rate in Wales has consistently been shown to be higher than that seen...
The imprisonment rate in Wales has consistently been shown to be higher than that seen in England, as well as in most of Western Europe. This is a concerning trend that needs to be understood and addressed. While we appreciate … Read more
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10 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice and the Welsh Government co-commission a joint academic...
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice and the Welsh Government co-commission a joint academic review to investigate what is driving the relatively high imprisonment rate in Wales. The findings of this review should be shared with us in twelve … Read more
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11 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
Independent Monitoring Boards play a vital role in ensuring that prisoners are safe, healthy and...
Independent Monitoring Boards play a vital role in ensuring that prisoners are safe, healthy and engaged in effective regimes. However, the lack of oversight provided by IMBs during a significant period of turmoil and unrest at HMP Parc causes us … Read more
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12 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We call on the Ministry of Justice to work with the Independent Monitoring Board’s National...
We call on the Ministry of Justice to work with the Independent Monitoring Board’s National Chair to prioritise the sustainability of IMBs across Wales by undertaking a targeted recruitment campaign—with a focus on bilingual Welsh speakers—to ensure that each of … Read more
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13 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
The prison capacity crisis in England and Wales reflects a trend of inflating sentences and...
The prison capacity crisis in England and Wales reflects a trend of inflating sentences and insufficient investment in the prison estate by successive governments. While population pressures are facing both England and Wales, we are concerned by reports of particular … Read more
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14 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
The Ministry of Justice must maintain its focus on reducing the prison population pressures across...
The Ministry of Justice must maintain its focus on reducing the prison population pressures across the prison estate. We welcome the introduction of the Sentencing Act 2026, which has been described as a vehicle to do this. With this in … Read more
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15 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
For prisons to be safe settings conducive to rehabilitation—where prisoners can spend time out of...
For prisons to be safe settings conducive to rehabilitation—where prisoners can spend time out of their cells, build relationships with staff, and take part in purposeful activity—there must be enough staff with the right experience to operate effectively. This requires … Read more
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16 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice meet with the Welsh justice unions representing prison...
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice meet with the Welsh justice unions representing prison staff in Wales to identify the main barriers to recruiting and retaining staff. These concerns should be addressed as soon as possible through investment in … Read more
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17 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
The number of Welsh women receiving custodial sentences in Wales is rising, as is the...
The number of Welsh women receiving custodial sentences in Wales is rising, as is the number of those offenders receiving short sentences. This is despite longstanding and ever-increasing evidence that prison—and short sentences—pose particular harm to women and do little … Read more
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18 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice and Welsh Government redesign the Female Offending Blueprint...
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice and Welsh Government redesign the Female Offending Blueprint for Wales to take account of the policy changes since it was published in 2019, drawing on the recommendations contained within the Women’s Justice Board’s … Read more
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19 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
The Residential Women’s Centre in Swansea was due to open its doors two years ago;...
The Residential Women’s Centre in Swansea was due to open its doors two years ago; however, the previous UK Government reallocated the funding and we are still waiting on the current UK Government to decide whether the project will be … Read more
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20 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We call on the Ministry of Justice to confirm its plans for the Swansea Residential...
We call on the Ministry of Justice to confirm its plans for the Swansea Residential Women’s Centre as soon as possible. These plans should confirm whether the site will be opening, and, if so, when it will open. Additionally, it … Read more
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21 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
The self-harm rates at HMP Eastwood Park and HMP Styal, which hold the vast majority...
The self-harm rates at HMP Eastwood Park and HMP Styal, which hold the vast majority of Welsh women offenders, are deeply concerning. While we recognise that the self-harm rates are higher in the women’s estate than the men’s estate generally, … Read more
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22 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We call on the Ministry of Justice to record the nationality of offenders— with Welsh...
We call on the Ministry of Justice to record the nationality of offenders— with Welsh provided as a separate identity to English—so that it can measure the number of self-harm incidents by nationality. We recognise that the Department may not … Read more
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23 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
Engaging with purposeful activity, such as education and skills provision, is vital to reducing reoffending...
Engaging with purposeful activity, such as education and skills provision, is vital to reducing reoffending rates among prisoners. While the situation in Wales appears to be slightly better than in England, there are too many prisoners in Wales who are … Read more
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24 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We call on the Ministry of Justice to support prison leaders in designing and delivering...
We call on the Ministry of Justice to support prison leaders in designing and delivering regimes that prioritise time out of cell and engagement with purposeful activity alongside safety and order. The Department must work with prisons to ensure that … Read more
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25 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We were encouraged by what we heard regarding education provision in Welsh prisons.
We were encouraged by what we heard regarding education provision in Welsh prisons. Governors in Wales are able to benefit from a more flexible approach to contract, in which contracts are managed individually— rather than through lots—and governors are afforded … Read more
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26 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We call on the Ministry of Justice to immediately reverse its real-term cuts to the...
We call on the Ministry of Justice to immediately reverse its real-term cuts to the prison education budget in England and to ensure that future funding grows in line with inflation and is aligned with the true costs of delivery. … Read more
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27 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
When it comes to supporting prisoners into employment, both during and following their sentence, Welsh...
When it comes to supporting prisoners into employment, both during and following their sentence, Welsh prisons are performing well when compared with the average figures for England and Wales. We were encouraged by the positive experiences described to us by … Read more
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28 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice supports prison leaders in their engagement with local...
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice supports prison leaders in their engagement with local employers—identifying what skills and experience they would like to see from prospective hires—and ensures that employment provision within prisons is tailored accordingly. This should be … Read more
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29 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
Prisoners in Wales should not be disadvantaged when it comes to healthcare provision just because...
Prisoners in Wales should not be disadvantaged when it comes to healthcare provision just because they are in prison, nor should they expect better or worse service depending on the prison they are held in. As it stands, the current … Read more
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30 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice and the Welsh Government co- commission an independent...
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice and the Welsh Government co- commission an independent review of the provision of healthcare services in prisons in Wales. This review should specifically investigate the effectiveness of the current health board model and … Read more
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31 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
Prisoner populations in Wales have higher, more complex and more concentrated healthcare needs than those...
Prisoner populations in Wales have higher, more complex and more concentrated healthcare needs than those seen in the community. In this context, it is concerning that the UK Government’s recurrent transfer to the Welsh Government to support healthcare provision in … Read more
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32 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
The UK Government must revise its funding formula for the recurrent transfer it has sent...
The UK Government must revise its funding formula for the recurrent transfer it has sent to the Welsh Government to support prisoner healthcare services at HMPs Cardiff, Swansea and Usk & Prescoed. The transfer amount should be uplifted in line … Read more
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33 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We were impressed by the large network of partners—including multiple UK and Welsh Government funded...
We were impressed by the large network of partners—including multiple UK and Welsh Government funded housing advisors as well as third sector providers—working hard to ensure Welsh prisoners were released into suitable accommodation and not released into homelessness. However, we … Read more
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34 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We call on the Ministry of Justice and prison leaders to prioritise timely notification of...
We call on the Ministry of Justice and prison leaders to prioritise timely notification of upcoming releases to local authorities and other relevant stakeholders, giving them the best chance to identify suitable accommodation among an already limited stock of options. … Read more
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35 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
The Probation Service in Wales is performing well under exceptionally challenging circumstances, and we were...
The Probation Service in Wales is performing well under exceptionally challenging circumstances, and we were proud to hear of its status as the ‘vanguard of change’ in the system. The tools being piloted across the service in Wales promise to … Read more
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36 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We call on the Ministry of Justice to increase its support for the staff of...
We call on the Ministry of Justice to increase its support for the staff of the Probation Service in Wales. The upcoming strategic review of probation should be accompanied by a review of the service’s staff numbers, pay and working … Read more
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37 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
The youth justice system in Wales is evidently an example of strong partnership working between...
The youth justice system in Wales is evidently an example of strong partnership working between two governments who are focused on securing the best possible outcomes for children in Wales, and who wish to see children diverted away from the … Read more
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38 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We recommend that the UK and Welsh Governments build on the existing success of the...
We recommend that the UK and Welsh Governments build on the existing success of the youth justice system in Wales, working in lockstep to support children, provide funding certainty to youth justice services, and ensure that the welfare of children … Read more
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39 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
Welsh-speaking prisoners should be able to exercise their rights to speak Welsh no matter where...
Welsh-speaking prisoners should be able to exercise their rights to speak Welsh no matter where they are held in the prison estate: not just for the sake of the language, but for the sake of their rehabilitation. Reports of HMPPS … Read more
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40 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We recommend that the UK Government work with the Welsh Government to subject Crown agencies...
We recommend that the UK Government work with the Welsh Government to subject Crown agencies to the Welsh Language Standards Regulations 2023. (Recommendation, Paragraph 154)
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41 Conclusion
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons is responsible for inspecting the conditions and treatment of prisoners...
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons is responsible for inspecting the conditions and treatment of prisoners in England and Wales, with one of their inspection ‘expectations’ explicitly highlighting the importance of prisoners interacting with staff who are able to implement culturally … Read more
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42 Recommendation
2nd Report – Jagged Justice: Priso…
We call on HMI Prisons to work with the Welsh Language Commissioner to design an...
We call on HMI Prisons to work with the Welsh Language Commissioner to design an additional survey for Welsh-speaking prisoners, with questions specifically designed to gather information about the quality and availability of Welsh language services in Welsh prisons. The … Read more
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Correspondence 26 letters
15 Jun 2026 Correspondence to the Minister for Skills on the financial sustainability of higher education institutions in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
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5 Jun 2026 From committee Letter to the Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Offending on The Government's Response to the Committee's Report on The Future of HMP Parc
Parliament page
22 Apr 2026 Correspondence from Dr Rob Jones and Dr Gregory Davies, relating to Welsh language provision in prisons, dated 7 October 2025
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11 Mar 2026 Correspondence from G4S and HMP Parc to the Chair, relating to media reports on HMP Parc, dated 10 April 2025
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28 Jan 2026 Correspondence to and from The Nelson Trust, dated 10 December
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28 Jan 2026 Correspondence to and from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, dated 16 January
Parliament page
28 Jan 2026 Correspondence to and from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, dated 8 December
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28 Jan 2026 Correspondence to and from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, dated 8 December
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28 Jan 2026 Correspondence from Lord Timpson, dated 19 January, relating to the evidence session on 17th December.
Parliament page
15 Jan 2026 From committee Letter to and from HM Inspectorate of Probation, following the 3 December evidence session on Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales, dated 8 & 22 December 2025
Parliament page
14 Jan 2026 From committee Letter to and from Youth Justice Board, following the 3 December evidence session on Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales, dated 8 & 17 December 2025
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14 Jan 2026 From committee Letter to and from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, on Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales, dated 8 & 30 December 2020
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14 Jan 2026 From committee Letter to and from Prisoners’ Education Trust, following the 29 October evidence session on Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales, dated 1 & 19 December 2025
Parliament page
14 Jan 2026 Memorandum submitted as part of the inquiry into Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales: St Giles Trust
Parliament page
14 Jan 2026 From committee Letter to and from Estyn, following the 29 October evidence session on Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales, dated 1 December 2025 & 5 January 2026
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14 Jan 2026 From committee Letter to and from Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, following the 12 November evidence session on Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales, dated 8 & 19 December 2025
Parliament page
14 Jan 2026 From committee Letter to and from Nacro, following the 12 November evidence session on Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales, dated 4 December 2025 & 9 January 2026
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17 Dec 2025 Information provided from Cardiff Council, relating to housing and homelessness services to prison leavers
Parliament page
17 Dec 2025 Correspondence from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman relating to the 3 December evidence session
Parliament page
13 Nov 2025 Meeting Summary of the private Roundtable with Prison Governors
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2 Jul 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
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2 Jul 2025 Correspondence from the Chair to the HM Chief Inspector of Prisons dated 28 May 2025 relating to the 21 May evidence session on Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales
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2 Jul 2025 Correspondence from the Chair to the Independent Monitoring Board National Chair dated 28 May 2025 relating to the 21 May evidence session on Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales
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2 Jul 2025 Correspondence from the Independent Monitoring Board National Chair to the Chair dated 24 June 2025 relating to the 21 May evidence session on Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales
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11 Jun 2025 Correspondence from the Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending to the Chair dated 5 June 2025 replying to the Committee's letter on the Independent Sentencing Review and the Swansea Residential Women’s Centre
Parliament page
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
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