In today's Women & Equalities questions, I asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice if he would commit to looking at legislation that would punish facilitators of sexual exploitation in return for rent-free accommodation. … [Read more...]
Criminal Justice System: Adults with Autism
Yesterday I spoke in Kevin Brennan MP's debate on the treatment of adults with autism by the criminal justice system. Autistic people are discriminated against in society as a whole, but especially in the criminal justice system. The criminal justice system needs to reform and adapt in order to meet its fundamental human rights obligations to treat people fairly and equitably. … [Read more...]
Home Office Questions
Today I asked the Minister to challenge the behaviours of high-harm perpetrators of domestic abuse, following the conviction of Theodore Johnson, who has killed three women over the last four decades. Coincidentally, the South Wales Evening Post printed the following statistics about domestic violence conviction rates: Johnson was convicted of the manslaughter of wife … [Read more...]
Female prisons in Wales
Today I asked Rt Hon David Lidington MP, The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, whether his department have made a decision on a female prison opening in Wales. A rather disappointing answer as no decision yet implies it is up for discussion! … [Read more...]
Pensions (Review of Women’s Arrangements) Bill
This morning I will be presenting the Pensions (Review of Women's Arrangements) Bill on behalf of the APPG on State Pension Inequality for Women. Pensions (Review of Women's Arrangements) (No. 2) Bill to establish a review of pension arrangements for women affected by changes made by the Pensions Act 1995 and the Pensions Act 2011; to require the review in particular to undertake … [Read more...]
HMP Swansea’s future hangs in the balance
With news that a new category C prison is to be built in Port Talbot, the future of Swansea prison has been called into question. Justice Secretary Elizabeth Truss revealed in a written statement that “old and inefficient prisons will be closed and replaced by the new accommodation”. Swansea East MP Carolyn Harris, who has visited the prison many times to meet with constituents, is … [Read more...]
Justice Questions
Carolyn Harris (Swansea East) (Lab) What support and resources the Government are providing to transgender prisoners? The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Dr Phillip Lee) The House will be aware of the tragic death of Jenny Swift at Doncaster prison on 30 December. My sympathies are with her family. As with all deaths in custody, there will be an inquest and an independent … [Read more...]
