Wales Leads the Way

As the following press release and report shows, Probation in Wales is likely to develop in a very different way:-

At 9am this morning we are delivering to the First Minister our report Justice in Wales for the People of Wales. The report and a summary are now available in English and Welsh at https://gov.wales/commission-justice-wales-report.

Based on the extensive and far reaching enquiry we have undertaken, our report sets out an ambitious plan with 78 recommendations to improve justice in Wales.

We are of the view that justice policy and delivery should be determined in Wales so that they align with health, education, housing and other social policies. Determining justice policy in London treats justice as an island and not as central to the development of Wales as a just, fair and prosperous nation. The people of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are not disadvantaged in this way. Hence our overarching recommendation that:

• Justice should be devolved to Wales.

Our more detailed recommendations include:

• enabling access to justice though joining up legal aid and third sector provision and setting a strategy for court location across Wales;
• changes to the criminal justice system by rebalancing the system so that it focuses on reducing crime and re-offending;
• better integration of health provision, using problem solving courts and establishing women’s centres for most female offenders in place of imprisonment;
• reducing the number of children taken into care and spending resources more effectively;
• rationalising dispute resolution in civil and administrative justice;
• strengthening the contribution the legal sector makes to the Welsh economy and encouraging innovation in the sector and at law schools;
• a consistent approach to treating the Welsh language on a basis of equality with English.

While the necessary legislation is prepared for devolving justice, several of the recommendations can and should be implemented by the Westminster and Welsh Governments.

We are grateful for all the help, assistance and evidence received. It forms the basis of our report. We look forward to a more just, fair and prosperous Wales through the implementation of our recommendations.

Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd on behalf of the Commission on Justice in Wales