Jail's young inmates 'to double'

Parc opened nine years ago

There are plans to almost double the number of young offenders being held at Parc Prison in Bridgend.

BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme has discovered that talks are well advanced and extra spaces could be available by Christmas.

There is currently room for 36 young people but the Youth Justice Board said they were planning more places.

The Home Office has not commented but Plaid Cymru's MP Elfyn Llwyd said he was disturbed by the news.

"We're looking to expand the existing sites in Wales, " said Youth Justice Board chairman Rod Morgan.

"We've already agreed to almost double the number of beds provided at Parc, and those beds will be available by Christmas.

Extend numbers

"I can't say more about the plans because we are still sorting things out behind the scenes. But I'm hopeful we're going to be able to increase provision."

A spokesperson for Securicor's Group 4, who operate Parc Prison, confirmed that they were talking to the youth justice board about a number of issues.

The privately-run prison opened nine years ago.

Labour accused Mr Cameron of 'fluffy bunny language'

Mr Llwyd, Plaid Cymru's parliamentary leader, said the move to extend numbers at the jail needed to be questioned.

This was because youth crime figures in Wales were down and that many young people being kept under lock and key had medical problems.

The news comes at the end of a two-day youth justice conference in Cardiff, during which Prime Minister Tony Blair provided a video message and Conservative leader David Cameron made a speech.

Safely managed

Mr Cameron called for a more understanding approach as to why youths committed crimes in the first place.

They must have counselling, education and training, he told the Youth Justice Board's annual convention.

But Home Office minister Tony McNulty claimed Mr Cameron was using "fluffy bunny language", lacking any substance.

Mr Cameron suggested that children should receive "tough love" and, in turn, have "high standards" asked of them.

Earlier this month - amid arguments about overcrowding - the probation service said a third of all inmates in Welsh prisons had no need to be there.

South Wales Probation chief executive Ian Lankshear told BBC Wales' Week In Week Out the prisoners could be safely managed in the community if better supervised.

And Judge Patrick Harrington QC said giving prison sentences to non-violent drug addicts was "utterly pointless".