I was very pleased to participate in the recent debate on Simon Fell MP's important Private Members Bill on the day of release for offenders from prison. The Bill seeks to ensure that Fridays are not used as a day of release for prisoners, as currently those offenders that are released on that day have a significantly higher rate of reoffending. This is a result of a lower level of access to key services such as housing, welfare and job support available over the weekend.
I raised my experience with HMP Berwyn in Wrexham which I was honoured to visit last year. I saw for myself how well the prison is run, particularly the innovative ways in which it handles the reintroduction of prisoners into society. I was pleased to support Simon Fell MP in this important endeavour, which will seek to give offenders the best possible access to services after the conclusion of their prison sentence.