03 October 2007
David Hanson, the justice minister, visited Cardiff and Parc prison today to see the work of a pioneering restorative justice programme.
David Hanson, the justice minister, visited Cardiff and Parc prison today (Wednesday 03 October) to see the work of a pioneering restorative justice programme, watch police in action targeting drugs in our prisons and meet dedicated staff working to keep the public safe and reduce re-offending.
The minister saw facilities in HMP Cardiff and visited their SORI (Supporting Offenders through Restoration Inside) programme. The victim-centred programme involves face-to-face work with offenders, victims and their communities.
The minister also visited HMP and Youth Offender Institute Parc, run by Group 4 Securicor, where he took a tour of the prison and saw South Wales police carry out their 'Rat on a Rat' campaign which specifically targets drug dealers in the community. They were supporting the prison passive drug dog handlers during the busy afternoon visiting period and visitors.
On attending the visits, David Hanson said,
"I am delighted to have this opportunity to visit both prisons and see the staff working hard to keep operations within the prisons running smoothly. Working in the prison service can be challenging and I would like to thank all staff for their effort and support.
"Cardiff prison's restorative justice programme, SORI which I am visiting today is a leading example of how we can address re-offending through working with victims and the community, making offenders accountable for their crimes. The prison, in partnership with Victim Support Wales, has developed a unique and pioneering programme of restorative justice.
"There are also significant efforts being made to reduce the supply of drugs in both prisons and it is inspiring to see the partnership that has been developed between South Wales police and Parc. The prison work hard to control the movement of drugs into HMP Parc but the prison staff do not have the power to stop and search visitors, therefore the active police support is important in tackling this issue."
For more information please contact Joanna Jacobson on 0207 210 8668 in the Ministry of Justice Press Office.