Question
Probation services play a vital role in protecting the public, reducing reoffending and supporting rehabilitation. As the UK and Welsh Governments review probation governance in Wales, can the Lord Chancellor update the House on how he is working with the Welsh Government to better integrate probation with devolved services, to strengthen public safety in communities such as mine in Pembrokeshire?
Answer
I met with the Welsh Government yesterday, and we discussed probation. My strong view is that if we are to get the best outcomes for individuals when they leave prison, we need those local services. That might be probation services in this case, but it is also about local authority services, health services and education, to get the best outcomes in exactly the spirit my hon. Friend talks about.25% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (32/100)
The reply confirms a recent meeting with the Welsh Government where probation was discussed, and it sets out the aim of joining probation with local authority, health and education services. It does not say what was actually discussed on integration or what, if anything, was agreed, so the answer stays general throughout. The person who asked would likely need to submit a follow-up to get the specifics.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is the nature of the Lord Chancellor's engagement with the Welsh Government on better integrating probation with devolved services. | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply confirms a recent meeting with the Welsh Government where probation was discussed, and it frames the aim as joining probation with local authority, health and education services. However, it never says what the discussions covered on integration or what was agreed, so the nature of the engagement is described only thinly and in general terms. |