The Welsh Government places a strong emphasis on working in
partnership with the UK Government to improve outcomes across the
justice system in Wales that was the message from Deputy First
Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Sioned today.
In a letter to the new Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for
Justice, , the Deputy First Minister
called for an early commitment from him to the devolution of
justice and policing, as a demonstration of the UK Government's
revised approach to devolution.
Meanwhile in a letter to the Minister of State at the Ministry of
Justice, , the Deputy First
Minister also emphasised the commitment to reduce the
disproportionate impact of the justice system on women in
Wales. This includes supporting the proposed Residential
Women's Centre in Swansea.
The Deputy First Minister said: I am looking forward to working
constructively with the UK Government on justice in Wales.
We need to reduce the disproportionate impact on women of the
jagged edge' between devolved and non-devolved responsibilities
in the criminal justice system, including by ensuring that fewer
women sentenced in Wales are held in prisons in England, far from
their families and support networks.
Unfortunately, most recently I was informed by the previous
Minister for Prisons that it had not been possible to secure
funding for the Residential Women's Centre in Swansea. I have
urged the new Minister to work with Treasury colleagues to ensure
that this decision is revisited as soon as possible.
The importance of the Centre has also been highlighted by the
Welsh Affairs Select Committee.
I am eager to continue to work with the UK Government on our
shared ambition on women's justice.
