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 the candour of the Department regarding its lack of understanding in this area—as well as its acknowledgment of the importance of this information—we are concerned that there do not appear to have been significant previous attempts to address this longstanding trend. (Conclusion, Paragraph 37)