Will the Government commit to prohibit without exception the use of harmful devices such as spit hoods, plastics bullets, and taser guns against children in the criminal justice system?
The use of spit hoods, plastics bullets, and taser guns, the police and justice powers and procedures related to them are matters reserved to the UK Government. The Welsh Government is not able to legislate and prohibit the use of such equipment. Policing, the use of force in custody, and the use of tasers and other such equipment is entirely the responsibility of the UK Government.
The Welsh Government does not wish to see the use of spit hoods, plastic bullets, or taser guns on children.
Although Welsh Government does not have competence in this area, the wellbeing of children in Wales is something we take very seriously. In April 2022, I wrote to the then Minister for Prisons and Minister for Afghan Resettlement expressing my concern about the use of handcuffs on children in the criminal justice system, including in transport. I received assurance the use of handcuffs on children in the youth secure estate is proportionate and reasonable, including during transportation.
We work closely with police forces in Wales, the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office, taking a partnership approach to community safety and youth justice. We use our regular engagement with police, the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office to make our position clear on these issues and to seek to positively influence approaches.