Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) solicitors and (b) not for profit organisations provided legal aid work on civil law cases in Wales in each year from 2012 to 2022.
Answered by Mike Freer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The information is published as part of the Legal Aid Agency’s official statistics. The requested information can be found in table 9.2 and covers the period from 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2022. Data for financial year 2022-2023 is due to be published on 23 June 2023.
The LAA frequently reviews market capacity to make sure there is adequate provision of legal aid, in all categories of law, throughout England and Wales. The LAA moves quickly, where issues arise, to secure additional provision and to ensure demand for legal aid services is met across the country. Legal advice on a range of civil matters including housing, debt, discrimination, and education is available, wherever people are, through the Civil Legal Advice telephone service.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent estimate he has made of the size of the case backlog in the Youth Court system in Wales.
Answered by Mike Freer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
There were 270 youth outstanding cases in magistrates' courts in Wales as at the end of September 2022. This includes any case involving a defendant under the age of 18 heard in the magistrates’ courts, not just those heard in the Youth Court. Cases involving young defendants are given priority, irrespective of the Court in which they appear, and youth cases are continually reviewed to ensure that they are progressed as quickly as possible.
At any one time, there will always be outstanding cases – those for which evidence is being prepared, for example. The table below shows the number of the outstanding youth cases for the period end of September 2016 to end of September 2022.
Time period | Outstanding youth cases at Magistrates Courts, Wales |
September 2016 | 376 |
September 2017 | 330 |
September 2018 | 332 |
September 2019 | 321 |
September 2020 | 364 |
September 2021 | 277 |
September 2022 | 270 |
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to reduce drug use in HMP Prescoed.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
HMPPS is committed to reducing the supply and demand of drugs in prisons, delivering a high-quality treatment and recovery system, and reducing the harms drugs cause, including working closely with the privately managed HMP/YOI Parc. The following steps are being taken to help reduce drug use in prisons in Wales:
Restricting the supply of drugs:
Increasing investments in prison security, including introducing airport-style gate security to identify items such as drugs before they are conveyed into prisons as well as X-ray body scanners to find internally concealed items and x-ray baggage.
Increasing the number of drug trace detection machines, helping prevent the smuggling of illegal drugs, including through the mail.
Increasing the number and availability of specialist staff, drugs dogs and security equipment to help identify illicit substances at the first possible opportunity available across all sites.
Mandatory Drug tests in line with national guidance.
A Crime in Prisons initiative to support the prosecution of those involved in the trafficking of illicit substances.
Preventing and pursuing incidents of staff corruption.
Reducing the demand for drugs:
Increasing opportunity for purposeful activities in prison to reduce boredom and in turn the temptation to engage in illicit substances through education and employment.
Providing opportunities for prisoners to rehabilitate and resettle positively on release through meaningful employment, appropriate housing, mental health support.
Building recovery and reducing harm from drugs:
Providing opportunities for individuals to engage in Psychosocial Interventions to reduce substance misuse.
Providing all suitable individuals with appropriate clinical interventions for substance misuse. In Wales, this includes Buvidal which is a long-acting buprenorphine to treat dependence on opioids.
Providing Naloxone upon release, alongside associated training, to help prevent accidental overdose incidents.
Providing harm reduction advice about safer substance use and preventing blood borne viruses.
Providing individuals in all Welsh prisons with the opportunity to live on an incentivised substance-free living wing designed to support people to lead a substance-free life.
Exploring options for opening a drug recovery wing in HMP Berwyn to support those misusing opiates to abstain from drugs. Two drug recovery units have already been established at HMP/YOI Parc.
Providing 24/7 support to prisoners via peer mentors and staff.
Providing continuity of care through the gate care via collaborative working with agencies such as Dyfodol, NHS and Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to reduce drug use in HMP Swansea.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
HMPPS is committed to reducing the supply and demand of drugs in prisons, delivering a high-quality treatment and recovery system, and reducing the harms drugs cause, including working closely with the privately managed HMP/YOI Parc. The following steps are being taken to help reduce drug use in prisons in Wales:
Restricting the supply of drugs:
Increasing investments in prison security, including introducing airport-style gate security to identify items such as drugs before they are conveyed into prisons as well as X-ray body scanners to find internally concealed items and x-ray baggage.
Increasing the number of drug trace detection machines, helping prevent the smuggling of illegal drugs, including through the mail.
Increasing the number and availability of specialist staff, drugs dogs and security equipment to help identify illicit substances at the first possible opportunity available across all sites.
Mandatory Drug tests in line with national guidance.
A Crime in Prisons initiative to support the prosecution of those involved in the trafficking of illicit substances.
Preventing and pursuing incidents of staff corruption.
Reducing the demand for drugs:
Increasing opportunity for purposeful activities in prison to reduce boredom and in turn the temptation to engage in illicit substances through education and employment.
Providing opportunities for prisoners to rehabilitate and resettle positively on release through meaningful employment, appropriate housing, mental health support.
Building recovery and reducing harm from drugs:
Providing opportunities for individuals to engage in Psychosocial Interventions to reduce substance misuse.
Providing all suitable individuals with appropriate clinical interventions for substance misuse. In Wales, this includes Buvidal which is a long-acting buprenorphine to treat dependence on opioids.
Providing Naloxone upon release, alongside associated training, to help prevent accidental overdose incidents.
Providing harm reduction advice about safer substance use and preventing blood borne viruses.
Providing individuals in all Welsh prisons with the opportunity to live on an incentivised substance-free living wing designed to support people to lead a substance-free life.
Exploring options for opening a drug recovery wing in HMP Berwyn to support those misusing opiates to abstain from drugs. Two drug recovery units have already been established at HMP/YOI Parc.
Providing 24/7 support to prisoners via peer mentors and staff.
Providing continuity of care through the gate care via collaborative working with agencies such as Dyfodol, NHS and Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce drug use in HMP Cardiff.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
HMPPS is committed to reducing the supply and demand of drugs in prisons, delivering a high-quality treatment and recovery system, and reducing the harms drugs cause, including working closely with the privately managed HMP/YOI Parc. The following steps are being taken to help reduce drug use in prisons in Wales:
Restricting the supply of drugs:
Increasing investments in prison security, including introducing airport-style gate security to identify items such as drugs before they are conveyed into prisons as well as X-ray body scanners to find internally concealed items and x-ray baggage.
Increasing the number of drug trace detection machines, helping prevent the smuggling of illegal drugs, including through the mail.
Increasing the number and availability of specialist staff, drugs dogs and security equipment to help identify illicit substances at the first possible opportunity available across all sites.
Mandatory Drug tests in line with national guidance.
A Crime in Prisons initiative to support the prosecution of those involved in the trafficking of illicit substances.
Preventing and pursuing incidents of staff corruption.
Reducing the demand for drugs:
Increasing opportunity for purposeful activities in prison to reduce boredom and in turn the temptation to engage in illicit substances through education and employment.
Providing opportunities for prisoners to rehabilitate and resettle positively on release through meaningful employment, appropriate housing, mental health support.
Building recovery and reducing harm from drugs:
Providing opportunities for individuals to engage in Psychosocial Interventions to reduce substance misuse.
Providing all suitable individuals with appropriate clinical interventions for substance misuse. In Wales, this includes Buvidal which is a long-acting buprenorphine to treat dependence on opioids.
Providing Naloxone upon release, alongside associated training, to help prevent accidental overdose incidents.
Providing harm reduction advice about safer substance use and preventing blood borne viruses.
Providing individuals in all Welsh prisons with the opportunity to live on an incentivised substance-free living wing designed to support people to lead a substance-free life.
Exploring options for opening a drug recovery wing in HMP Berwyn to support those misusing opiates to abstain from drugs. Two drug recovery units have already been established at HMP/YOI Parc.
Providing 24/7 support to prisoners via peer mentors and staff.
Providing continuity of care through the gate care via collaborative working with agencies such as Dyfodol, NHS and Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce drug use in HMP Berwyn.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
HMPPS is committed to reducing the supply and demand of drugs in prisons, delivering a high-quality treatment and recovery system, and reducing the harms drugs cause, including working closely with the privately managed HMP/YOI Parc. The following steps are being taken to help reduce drug use in prisons in Wales:
Restricting the supply of drugs:
Increasing investments in prison security, including introducing airport-style gate security to identify items such as drugs before they are conveyed into prisons as well as X-ray body scanners to find internally concealed items and x-ray baggage.
Increasing the number of drug trace detection machines, helping prevent the smuggling of illegal drugs, including through the mail.
Increasing the number and availability of specialist staff, drugs dogs and security equipment to help identify illicit substances at the first possible opportunity available across all sites.
Mandatory Drug tests in line with national guidance.
A Crime in Prisons initiative to support the prosecution of those involved in the trafficking of illicit substances.
Preventing and pursuing incidents of staff corruption.
Reducing the demand for drugs:
Increasing opportunity for purposeful activities in prison to reduce boredom and in turn the temptation to engage in illicit substances through education and employment.
Providing opportunities for prisoners to rehabilitate and resettle positively on release through meaningful employment, appropriate housing, mental health support.
Building recovery and reducing harm from drugs:
Providing opportunities for individuals to engage in Psychosocial Interventions to reduce substance misuse.
Providing all suitable individuals with appropriate clinical interventions for substance misuse. In Wales, this includes Buvidal which is a long-acting buprenorphine to treat dependence on opioids.
Providing Naloxone upon release, alongside associated training, to help prevent accidental overdose incidents.
Providing harm reduction advice about safer substance use and preventing blood borne viruses.
Providing individuals in all Welsh prisons with the opportunity to live on an incentivised substance-free living wing designed to support people to lead a substance-free life.
Exploring options for opening a drug recovery wing in HMP Berwyn to support those misusing opiates to abstain from drugs. Two drug recovery units have already been established at HMP/YOI Parc.
Providing 24/7 support to prisoners via peer mentors and staff.
Providing continuity of care through the gate care via collaborative working with agencies such as Dyfodol, NHS and Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to reduce drug use in HMP Parc.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
HMPPS is committed to reducing the supply and demand of drugs in prisons, delivering a high-quality treatment and recovery system, and reducing the harms drugs cause, including working closely with the privately managed HMP/YOI Parc. The following steps are being taken to help reduce drug use in prisons in Wales:
Restricting the supply of drugs:
Increasing investments in prison security, including introducing airport-style gate security to identify items such as drugs before they are conveyed into prisons as well as X-ray body scanners to find internally concealed items and x-ray baggage.
Increasing the number of drug trace detection machines, helping prevent the smuggling of illegal drugs, including through the mail.
Increasing the number and availability of specialist staff, drugs dogs and security equipment to help identify illicit substances at the first possible opportunity available across all sites.
Mandatory Drug tests in line with national guidance.
A Crime in Prisons initiative to support the prosecution of those involved in the trafficking of illicit substances.
Preventing and pursuing incidents of staff corruption.
Reducing the demand for drugs:
Increasing opportunity for purposeful activities in prison to reduce boredom and in turn the temptation to engage in illicit substances through education and employment.
Providing opportunities for prisoners to rehabilitate and resettle positively on release through meaningful employment, appropriate housing, mental health support.
Building recovery and reducing harm from drugs:
Providing opportunities for individuals to engage in Psychosocial Interventions to reduce substance misuse.
Providing all suitable individuals with appropriate clinical interventions for substance misuse. In Wales, this includes Buvidal which is a long-acting buprenorphine to treat dependence on opioids.
Providing Naloxone upon release, alongside associated training, to help prevent accidental overdose incidents.
Providing harm reduction advice about safer substance use and preventing blood borne viruses.
Providing individuals in all Welsh prisons with the opportunity to live on an incentivised substance-free living wing designed to support people to lead a substance-free life.
Exploring options for opening a drug recovery wing in HMP Berwyn to support those misusing opiates to abstain from drugs. Two drug recovery units have already been established at HMP/YOI Parc.
Providing 24/7 support to prisoners via peer mentors and staff.
Providing continuity of care through the gate care via collaborative working with agencies such as Dyfodol, NHS and Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to improve the physical condition of court buildings in Wales.
Answered by Mike Freer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
During financial years 2021/2022 and 2022/23, 36 individual capital improvement projects have taken place across the court estate in Wales, with a further 11 capital improvement projects currently in progress. Together we estimate these works will represent capital investment of over £18m. This figure excludes any reactive repairs and Business As Usual maintenance that we have carried out across the estate in Wales.
The projects include the replacement of six boilers and a roof at Cardiff Crown Court, replacement windows at Merthyr Tydfil Combined Court, installation of LED lighting at Cardiff Magistrates Court, refurbishment of the staff and judicial lift at Cardiff Civil justice Centre and an upgraded building power supply system at Wrexham Magistrates Court.
This year an extra £20m is also being spent across England & Wales on additional minor repairs and replacement items, including re-decoration, replacing carpets and deep-cleans as well as replacement of fire doors, ventilation duct cleaning and other health and safety works. Examples of this work in Wales include the redecoration of cell doors and benches at Mold Law Courts, replacement carpet at Swansea Magistrates Court, replacement flooring at Merthyr Combined Court, and painting the external steps at Newport Crown Court.
We will continue to work closely with local judiciary and operational colleagues in Wales to identify and address the areas of the highest maintenance priority.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the scale of backlogs at County Courts in Wales; and what steps his Department is taking to reduce delays to hearing cases in those courts.
Answered by Mike Freer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
A breakdown of the outstanding caseload in each region of England and Wales is not published.
We continue to work, in close partnership with the judiciary, to improve the service in the county courts. We are replacing inefficient processes with our reformed digital services, using available courtroom capacity and supporting the use of remote hearings (where a judge deems it appropriate) to maximise the number of sitting days used in the jurisdiction.
The MoJ and the judiciary have taken and are taking action to increase judicial capacity. This includes a recruitment programme of up to 1,000 judges and tribunal members in 2022/23, across all jurisdictions. HMCTS is also working to ensure we have sufficient staff resource in place to support the number of sitting days used across jurisdictions.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff Central)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people serving sentences of Imprisonment for Public Protection recalled to prison in (a) 2021 and (b) 2022 after being charged with a new offence were (i) convicted, (ii) acquitted and (iii) had the charge dropped.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
The data required to provide an answer about those offenders serving an IPP sentence in the community who were recalled in connection with having been charged with a further offence and who were subsequently (i) convicted, (ii) acquitted and (iii) had the charge dropped, could be provided only at disproportionate cost, as central data is not stored in a way that it can be filtered by the required fields.