(Title Image: Independent)
The UK Ministry of Justice has announced that a residential centre for women offenders will open in Wales, with The Guardian reporting that the Welsh Government will shortlist a site in order for the centre to be up and running by the end of 2021.
The residential centre will cater for women who’ve been sentenced for low-level offences and will focus on rehabilitating women who may have underlying mental health problems, such as drug addiction. The centre will cost £2.5million.
UK Justice Minister, Lucy Frazer MP, said: “Residential women centres will offer a robust alternative to short prison sentences and directly tackle the issues which often underlie offending, like substance misuse and mental health problems.”
Chief Whip & Deputy Minister, Jane Hutt MS (Lab, Vale of Glamorgan,) welcomed the announcement, saying: “Welsh Government has pressed hard for a new women’s residential centre in Wales and I’m delighted we’ve now received confirmation these plans will go ahead….I’ll be working closely with the (UK Ministry of Justice) and other key partners to agree timeframes, resource allocations and a suitable location for this new facility. “
