Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts MP has challenged the UK Government over worsening outcomes in Wales' criminal justice system, following the publication of a major report by the Wales Governance Centre.

During Justice Questions on November 10, Ms Saville Roberts highlighted findings showing recall numbers rising by 27%, rough sleeping among prison leavers becoming increasingly common, and drug-related deaths among those under probation supervision significantly higher than in England.

She asked the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Norris, whether he accepted that devolving justice was essential to addressing the challenges identified in the report.

The exchange came less than 24 hours after Mr Norris met Welsh Government ministers in Cardiff to discuss the future of justice powers.

Following those talks on Monday, he suggested there was significant scope for further devolution to Wales, stating that "the potential is high" and that there was "more to come" beyond existing proposals on youth justice. Yet when challenged in the House of Commons on Tuesday with fresh evidence of worsening outcomes in Wales' justice system, the Justice Secretary failed to engage with the central question of whether Wales should be given the powers needed to address them.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Liz Saville Roberts asked: “Tackling reoffending requires rehabilitation – and the Wales Governance Centre's latest report shows that's not happening well enough in Wales.

“Recall numbers up 27%; rough sleeping on release becoming the norm; and death by drug poisoning under community supervision considerably higher than in England.

“Addressing these issues requires a holistic approach, which is impossible when Westminster holds the levers over justice.

“Following his meeting with Welsh Government ministers yesterday, does he agree that devolving justice is key to making justice work in Wales?"

Justice Secretary Alex Norris responded: "I'm grateful for that question. As the Hon. Lady says, I was in Wales yesterday meeting with the Welsh Government talking about exactly these issues. My view is exactly as I expressed in the original question, that the use of all organisations, yes of course HMPPS, but whether it's local authorities, whether it's local health services, the local council, local charities, actually that's done really effectively at a place-based level.

“Those were conversations we were having yesterday, and I’m very much looking forward to building on them.”

Speaking after the session, Ms Saville Roberts expressed disappointment that the Minister failed to engage with the central issue of accountability and powers.

She remarked: "Yesterday, the Justice Secretary spoke of the 'high potential' for further devolution and promised there was 'more to come'. Today, when asked directly whether Wales should have the powers needed to tackle these challenges, he ducked the question.

“Westminster controls justice in Wales, but Wales is left to deal with the consequences of a failing system. If UK Government ministers are serious about rehabilitation, reducing reoffending and keeping our communities safe, they must stop hiding behind warm words and give Wales the powers it needs to build a justice system that works."