§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisons have been closed in Wales since 1997; and if he will make a statement; [150465]
(2) what plans he has to accommodate more youth offenders from Wales in Wales. [150470]
§ Paul GogginsNo prisons in Wales have closed since 1997. There are no plans, at present, to build any new prisons in Wales, but accommodation requirements will be kept under review.
There are no plans to accommodate more young adult offenders (18 to 20 year olds) from Wales in Wales. The management of juveniles, under 18 years of age, is now the responsibility of the Youth Justice Board. An outline planning application for a site for a new Secure Training Centre (STC) in Wales primarily for vulnerable Welsh juveniles was approved in December 2003. This is subject to final decisions to proceed with the project.