Prisons in Wales
Encyclopedia
The prisons in Wales are run by Her Majesty's Prison Service
, which is in turn a part of the National Offender Management Service
which is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice responsible for the correctional services in England and Wales
. The objectives of prison
confinement in Wales
is threefold: to "hold prisoners securely", to "reduce the risk of prisoners re-offending" and to "provide safe and well-ordered establishments in which we treat prisoners humanely, decently and lawfully".
Although the concept of incarceration as a punishment for wrongdoing did not exist in Wales, as in the rest of Britain
, during the medieval period, from Tudor times onwards correction houses began appearing throughout the country. In the 18th century several buildings began taking on the function of modern prisons, and in 1878 Welsh prisons came under centralised government control. Today there are four prisons in Wales; three are run directly by the government with Parc Prison in Bridgend being Wales' only privatised jail.
magistrates were given powers by the state to establish correction houses for the punishment of those committing petty crimes and a way to amend the ways of vagrants.
From the 18th century the institutions that would begin to have the function of modern prisons began to appear in Aberystwyth
, Bangor
and Beaumaris. These buildings were used to house criminals for a set period of time after being sentenced by a court. The condition of early prisons in Wales was rudimentary and with few amenities for the imprisoned. In his 1777 work State of the Prisons prison reformer John Howard
mentions two Welsh jails, Caernarfon county jail and Swansea town jail. Caernarfon is described as having neither drainage or fresh water and the inmates housed in tiny windowless cells.
Prisons in Wales were often of very poor build, many of which were not built for the purpose of housing prisoners, and were often the sites of existing buildings. Haverfordwest
prison was originally built in the inner ward of a ruined castle in 1778. It was considered unfit for prisoners in 1819, while Cardiff Gaol
was deemed insufficient in 1814. Some prisons were built for purpose, including Beaumaris Gaol
(1829) in Anglesey
.
In 1878 the prison system in Wales was nationalised and came under centralised government control. This led to better conditions and fewer, larger prisons. The smaller prisons and jails across the country were closed and the location of the prisons centralised. Today there are just four prisons remaining in Wales, one in Monmouthshire, Usk
(1844) a Category C men's prison which also includes a satellite site at Prescoed
(1939) a Category D men's open prison; and three in Glamorgan, Cardiff
(1832) a Category B men's prison, Parc
(1997) a Category B men's private prison and Young Offenders Institution and Swansea
(1861) a Category B/C men's prison. Parc, based in Bridgend
, is Wales' only privatised prison and is presently run by G4S. Wales has no prison for women offenders, who must be housed in jails in England
. There is also no provision for convicts in northern Wales, with prisoners sent to prisons in Liverpool and further afield. In 2009 a site was discussed for a new prison in Caernarfon to address the issue of Welsh prisoners who are housed in England, but this fell through and as of 2010 there is still no prison provision in north Wales.
Her Majesty's Prison Service
Her Majesty's Prison Service is a part of the National Offender Management Service of the Government of the United Kingdom tasked with managing most of the prisons within England and Wales...
, which is in turn a part of the National Offender Management Service
National Offender Management Service
The National Offender Management Service is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice responsible for the correctional services in England and Wales...
which is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice responsible for the correctional services in England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales is a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. It consists of England and Wales, two of the four countries of the United Kingdom...
. The objectives of prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
confinement in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
is threefold: to "hold prisoners securely", to "reduce the risk of prisoners re-offending" and to "provide safe and well-ordered establishments in which we treat prisoners humanely, decently and lawfully".
Although the concept of incarceration as a punishment for wrongdoing did not exist in Wales, as in the rest of Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, during the medieval period, from Tudor times onwards correction houses began appearing throughout the country. In the 18th century several buildings began taking on the function of modern prisons, and in 1878 Welsh prisons came under centralised government control. Today there are four prisons in Wales; three are run directly by the government with Parc Prison in Bridgend being Wales' only privatised jail.
History of prisons in Wales
The concept of incarcerating individuals as a punishment for crimes did not exist in Wales before or during the medieval period. The early castles of the Welsh rulers and marcher-lords did possess dungeons, but the purpose of these facilities were for the confinement of hostages and political prisoners, people who may have committed no crime. Up to the 17th century the most common punishments for criminal offences were fines, corporal punishment and executions. The earliest forms of prisons, which began appearing in the early modern period, were created for the purposes of holding those awaiting trial and to house debtors. From the Tudor periodTudor period
The Tudor period usually refers to the period between 1485 and 1603, specifically in relation to the history of England. This coincides with the rule of the Tudor dynasty in England whose first monarch was Henry VII...
magistrates were given powers by the state to establish correction houses for the punishment of those committing petty crimes and a way to amend the ways of vagrants.
From the 18th century the institutions that would begin to have the function of modern prisons began to appear in Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
, Bangor
Bangor, Gwynedd
Bangor is a city in Gwynedd, north west Wales, and one of the smallest cities in Britain. It is a university city with a population of 13,725 at the 2001 census, not including around 10,000 students at Bangor University. Including nearby Menai Bridge on Anglesey, which does not however form part of...
and Beaumaris. These buildings were used to house criminals for a set period of time after being sentenced by a court. The condition of early prisons in Wales was rudimentary and with few amenities for the imprisoned. In his 1777 work State of the Prisons prison reformer John Howard
John Howard (prison reformer)
John Howard was a philanthropist and the first English prison reformer.-Birth and early life:Howard was born in Lower Clapton, London. His father, also John, was a wealthy upholsterer at Smithfield Market in the city...
mentions two Welsh jails, Caernarfon county jail and Swansea town jail. Caernarfon is described as having neither drainage or fresh water and the inmates housed in tiny windowless cells.
Prisons in Wales were often of very poor build, many of which were not built for the purpose of housing prisoners, and were often the sites of existing buildings. Haverfordwest
Haverfordwest
Haverfordwest is the county town of Pembrokeshire, Wales and serves as the County's principal commercial and administrative centre. Haverfordwest is the most populous urban area in Pembrokeshire, with a population of 13,367 in 2001; though its community boundaries make it the second most populous...
prison was originally built in the inner ward of a ruined castle in 1778. It was considered unfit for prisoners in 1819, while Cardiff Gaol
Cardiff Gaol
Cardiff Gaol was a prison located on St. Marys Street, Cardiff, Wales.-Background:Cardiff's original court and gaol were loacted within the walls of Cardiff Castle. Whilst the court moved within the castle walls, the gaol was always located within the Black Tower...
was deemed insufficient in 1814. Some prisons were built for purpose, including Beaumaris Gaol
Beaumaris Gaol
Beaumaris Gaol is a disused jail located in Beaumaris, Anglesey, Wales. Although no longer in use it remains largely unaltered and is now a museum open to visitors, with around 30,000 visiting each year....
(1829) in Anglesey
Anglesey
Anglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
.
In 1878 the prison system in Wales was nationalised and came under centralised government control. This led to better conditions and fewer, larger prisons. The smaller prisons and jails across the country were closed and the location of the prisons centralised. Today there are just four prisons remaining in Wales, one in Monmouthshire, Usk
Usk (HM Prison)
HM Prison Usk is a Category C men's prison, located in Usk, Monmouthshire, Wales. The prison is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service, and jointly managed with the nearby HMP Prescoed.-History:...
(1844) a Category C men's prison which also includes a satellite site at Prescoed
Prescoed (HM Prison)
HM Prison Prescoed is a Category D men's open prison, located on the outskirts of Usk in Monmouthshire, South Wales. Prescoed is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service, and acts as a satellite prison of the nearby HMP Usk.-History:...
(1939) a Category D men's open prison; and three in Glamorgan, Cardiff
Cardiff (HM Prison)
HM Prison Cardiff is a Category B men's prison, located in the Adamsdown area of Cardiff, Wales. The prison is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service.-History:...
(1832) a Category B men's prison, Parc
Parc (HM Prison)
HM Prison Parc is a Category B men's private prison and Young Offenders Institution, located in Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales. Parc Prison is operated by G4S, and is the only privately operated prison in Wales.-History:...
(1997) a Category B men's private prison and Young Offenders Institution and Swansea
Swansea (HM Prison)
HM Prison Swansea is a Category B/C men's prison, located in the Sandfields area of Swansea, Wales. The prison is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service, and is colloquially known as 'Cox's farm', after a former governor.-History:...
(1861) a Category B/C men's prison. Parc, based in Bridgend
Bridgend
Bridgend is a town in the Bridgend County Borough in Wales, west of the capital, Cardiff. The river crossed by the original bridge, which gave the town its name, is the River Ogmore but the River Ewenny also passes to the south of the town...
, is Wales' only privatised prison and is presently run by G4S. Wales has no prison for women offenders, who must be housed in jails in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. There is also no provision for convicts in northern Wales, with prisoners sent to prisons in Liverpool and further afield. In 2009 a site was discussed for a new prison in Caernarfon to address the issue of Welsh prisoners who are housed in England, but this fell through and as of 2010 there is still no prison provision in north Wales.