News

Doubts over effectiveness of post-prison services in Wales

Published

3 years ago

November 24, 2022

CONCERNS have been expressed at the Labour Government’s services for released female prisoners as startling statistics have come to light.

The Senedd’s Equality and Social Justice Committee recently visited HMP Eastwood Park in Gloucestershire where 148 of the 340 prisoners are from Wales.

On the visit, MSs were told that when released from the prison, nine out of ten Welsh inmates go on to reoffend, compared to one-in-ten of those from England.

This has cast doubt on the effectiveness and quality of services for ex-prisoners when they return to Wales, with consequences for their reintegration into society, the cost to the jails, and confidence in those services.

Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Equalities Minister Altaf Hussain MS – a committee member who visited the prison – said: “The gulf between English and Welsh female prisoners from Eastwood Park reoffending is startling and makes you wonder if Wales is anywhere near up to scratch in delivering effective services.

“Whilst this is just the experience from one prison, it is significant because it will house a substantial number of Welsh female prisoners, each one of which that returns to Wales needs to be helped by the Labour Government to reintegrate into society.

“This is not just about those individuals who need a new start with help in housing and employment – it is also about spending taxpayer money effectively, which seems to happening in England but not Wales.

“I will be asking Labour ministers to report back on these findings to explain why it is the case and what can be done to turn the tide, so that offenders have confidence in their chances of reintegration and taxpayers know their money is being well spent in delivering that.”

While prisons themselves are the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice, services in Wales that serve ex-offenders are run by the Labour Government in Cardiff Bay and local authorities.

Such services would include those relating to housing and homelessness, addiction recovery, employment schemes, and health (both physical and mental).

HMP Eastwood Park prisoners have the opportunity to leave the prison for short periods of time (known as release on temporary licence), and can be used to gain work experience in the local community, maintain family ties, and prepare for release.

There are no women’s prisons in Wales, which is why there is a high number of Welsh prisoners at HMP Eastwood Park.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

56 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

1 hour ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

1 hour ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.