‘Hotel killing highlights need for probation system reform’ – MP
Islwyn MP Chris Evans has called for reforms of the justice system following the harrowing case of Matthew Williams who brutally killed Cerys Yemm just 14 days after being released from prison. Johanna Carr reports
AN MP has called for reform of the criminal justice system after a prolific offender killed a woman just 14 days after being released from prison.
Matthew Williams, 34, served all of his 27-month sentence for blackmail at HMP Parc, Bridgend, and refused any post-release support from police or the probation service.
Williams, who had a history of drug use and mental health problems, attacked Cerys Yemm, 22, at the Sirhowy Arms Hotel in Argoed, near Blackwood, on November 6, 2014.
Ms Yemm died from her injuries and Williams, who was Tasered by police officers responding to a 999 call, suffered a cardiac arrest shortly afterwards and died.
He had been placed at the hotel by Caerphilly council.
Commenting after the conclusion of an inquest into their deaths, Labour and Co-operative MP for Islwyn Chris Evans said it was still unclear why Williams was released “despite remaining a threat to society”.
He called for probation officers to be given more power over released offenders.
Mr Evans said: “Overall, this case shows that there must be reform of the Probation Service.
“The Probation Service was simply unable to force Mr Williams to take the support he required because he had served out his sentence.
“This has to change and former prisoners must be required to undergo monitoring, or, at the very least, treatment, until officers are confident they no longer pose a threat to society.”
Mr Evans said the inquest, at Gwent Coroner’s Court in Newport, had highlighted the need for “greater co-operation between the probation service, local authorities and other organisations which deal with prisoner release”.
He added: “More could have been done to work together.”
The inquest heard Williams was released on October 23, 2014 and picked up by his father, with whom he planned to work, at the prison gates.
Williams was taken by his father to Newport council’s housing department but was turned away because he could not prove a local connection to the area.
He had to go back to Caerphilly council, an area where he had previously committed offences.
It was suggested that if he had been given accommodation in Newport his offending may have stopped although a Gwent Police offender manager said there was “no reason” to believe that and that Williams had committed offences “force-wide and in other areas as well”.
Mr Evans said: “The public investigations have covered a great deal of ground but there are a number of key questions which still need to be answered.
“We need an explanation as to why Welsh Government guidelines were not followed and why Mr Williams was not housed in Newport.
“It is also unclear why Mr Williams was released despite remaining a threat to society.
“I do not believe enough answers have been given about the treatment or lack of treatment he received in prison.
“I am also very concerned that Mr Williams was released even though he had made violent written threats while in prison and had untreated and undiagnosed mental health problems.”
Mr Evans said the Ministry of Justice must make reforms to ensure violent offenders get the mental health support they need while in prison and afterwards – even if they have served their full sentences.
He added: “Those released from prison must be met by someone at the gate who will support them to have proper housing, a job and proper treatment for any mental health issues they have.”
Criminologist Dr Adam Lynes, a lecturer at Birmingham City University, said the British criminal justice system tended to be punitive and retributive, which often resulted in “people (who) tend to come out a bit more hardened and a bit more angry with the world”.
Dr Lynes said he did not think there was enough emphasis on rehabilitation and pointed to countries such as Norway and Denmark, which have much lower reoffending rates and said their approach involved therapy, education and rehabilitation.
He added: “The system could have in some way helped in making sure this didn’t happen as opposed to letting him out and things escalating from there.”