Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales meeting: 15 July 2022

Co-Chairs

• Laura McAllister
• Rowan Williams

Commission members

• Anwen Elias
• Miguela Gonzalez
• Lauren McEvatt
• Michael Marmot
• Albert Owen
• Philip Rycroft
• Shavanah Taj
• Kirsty Williams
• Leanne Wood

Expert Panel

• Gareth Williams
• Hugh Rawlings

Item 2

• Dr Robert Jones, lecturer in the Welsh Criminal Justice System, Wales Governance Centre, Cardiff University

Item 3

• Lord Thomas, former Chair of the Commission on Justice in Wales

Secretariat

• Gareth Morgan, Deputy Director and Head of Secretariat
• Heulwen Mai Vaughan, Secretary
• Carys Evans, Adviser
• Ruth Leggett, Head of Communications and Engagement
• Rod Hough, Office Manager

1. The co-chairs welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2. The co-chairs welcomed Dr Robert Jones, lecturer in the Welsh Criminal Justice System, Wales Governance Centre, Cardiff University and invited him to summarise his research. The commission discussed with Dr Jones a number of issues arising including the lack of transparency and accountability of the Welsh justice system, the experience of Welsh prisoners and their families, and the potential costs and benefits of devolution.

3. The co-chairs welcomed Lord Thomas, Chair of the Commission on Justice in Wales, and invited him to set out the conclusions of that inquiry. The commission discussed with Lord Thomas a number of issues arising from the report, including the complexity of the interaction between justice services and devolved services such as health, education and housing, and the way services were integrated in smaller jurisdictions such as Northern Ireland.

4. The commissioners reflected on the evidence provided in the previous sessions.

5. The co-chairs thanked the commissioners for their contributions.