The Criminal Justice System in Wales: Ministerial scrutiny session

As part of its series of mini-inquiries into the experiences of different groups of people in the criminal justice system in Wales, the Equality and Social Justice Committee agreed to undertake short and focused scrutiny sessions with the Welsh Government and UK Governments. Members of the House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee, and the Senedd’s Legislation, Justice and the Constitution Committee and the Health and Social Care Committee were also invited to participate in this work.

As part of the sessions the Committee was keen to explore:

-       Key issues highlighted in the 2023 Prisons and Sentencing in Wales report; 

-       Data Transparency and reporting;

-       Prison safety and reform;

-       Joint working to reduce reoffending; and Preparations for the further devolution of justice.

The Committee also considered following-up on aspects of previous work in this series including:

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>>>Young people with speech, language and communication needs

>>>Women’s experiences in the criminal justice system

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Evidence gathering

On 14 July 2025 the Committee held ministerial scrutiny sessions with:

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>>>Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip

>>>Lord Timpson, Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending

Pursuant to Standing Order 17.49 Ruth Jones, the Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee also attended the meeting.

On 15 December 2025 Dr Robert Jones of the Wales Governance Centre participated in an evidence session.