Responding to the Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood's statement,
Plaid Cymru Westminster leader and Justice spokesperson, MP said:
“Fourteen years of mismanagement and policy failures have
resulted in a criminal justice system in deep crisis. Urgent
reform is imperative to avoid disaster.
“Sixty percent of prisons across England and Wales are classified
as crowded, with HMP Swansea at 145% of its capacity. Ten deaths
have taken place in HMP Parc between February and June. Action to
address prison overcrowding is welcome in this crisis, but it is
crucial that probation and housing services are provided with
additional funding while these changes are underway.
“It is paramount that any reform scheme centres on the voices,
needs, and welfare of victims and survivors, with public safety
as the highest priority. To ensure the safety of survivors, the
wider public, and prisoners themselves, the scheme must be paired
with increased investment in our probation service and vital
rehabilitative services such as housing and health.
“The UK Government's approach is just a temporary fix to
deep-rooted failings. Plaid Cymru calls for the new Labour
government to implement a credible, long-term plan to fully
address this crisis. This plan should include community-based
sentences for low-risk offenders, efforts to reduce the court
backlog, decriminalisation of soft drugs, and strengthened
cross-sector crime reduction and rehabilitation strategies
through devolving justice powers to Wales.”
