SECRETARY of State for Wales Stephen Crabb met staff at HMP Prescoed last week to see the opportunities available to prisoners.

Mr Crabb was also joined by Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay and MP David Davies during the Secretary of State’s visit to HMP Prescoed, Usk, on Friday 4th December.

Mr Crabb was in Usk to see how the Government’s resettlement programme is helping to reduce rates of reoffending in Wales and also the opportunities available to prisoners to engage in a number of community based resettlement programmes, including education, training and employment.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Ramsay said: “I was delighted to meet the Welsh Secretary and hear him state that breaking reoffending must be at the heart of the criminal justice system.

“There are many opportunities at Prescoed for prisoners to access a  wide range of classes, focussed on equipping them with skills which will be of benefit when they leave prison. Currently, there are 30 prisoners engaged in full time paid work and 20 involved in The Clink’s training restaurant in Cardiff.

“I have enjoyed an excellent Sunday lunch there and this is a very good example of how Prescoed are giving offenders the chance to learn new skills to help them reintegrate into the community when they are released.”