A NEW unit providing additional cells and improved care and segregation facilities has been proposed for La Moye Prison as Jersey prepares for the potential impact of laws tackling violence against women and girls.
Home Affairs Minister Helen Miles said the development would provide more flexible accommodation for prisoners with different health and other needs – but its capacity, cost and timetable have yet to be determined.
The proposal comes as the government confirms that the first of five new laws tackling violence against women and girls will take effect in just over a month.
In a submission to the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel’s Budget review, Senator Miles linked a business case for a new “vulnerable care unit” with additional cells to the legislation’s potential impact on prisoner numbers.
It is anticipated that the package of new laws could generate up to 369 additional offences by the second year of implementation.
Asked for further details, the minister told the JEP: “There is an identified need for new and improved care and segregation facilities at La Moye Prison, providing more flexible accommodation for prisoners with varying health and other needs.
“The high-level principles for a potential development within the existing prison footprint have been scoped in the development of a business case and will now be subject to internal appraisal and refinement.
“The proposal remains at an early feasibility and design stage, so capacity, costs, funding and timescales have not yet been determined.
“Any development would need to be considered as part of the government’s long-term capital planning process.”
Senator Miles also revealed that further phases of La Moye’s redevelopment have been identified but are not included in current capital spending plans and would require fresh funding bids.
The prison’s old gatehouse has been demolished and its security fence realigned, freeing space for future development. Boiler replacement work is due to close in February 2027.
It also emerged yesterday that the first of the five laws tackling violence against women and girls – approved by States Members in March – is due to come into force in December. It will widen the existing offence covering threats of violence and sexual offences.
Currently, it is an offence to threaten to kill, rape or cause serious physical injury. From 1 December, the law will also cover threats to commit a wider range of sexual offences.
The offence applies to threats made by any means where the person making them intends the recipient to believe they will be carried out. Those convicted can face up to ten years in prison and a fine.
Senator Miles said: “Threats of sexual violence can cause significant fear and distress, and it is important that Jersey’s laws recognise the seriousness of this behaviour.”
The remaining package covers intimate-image abuse, stalking and harassment, emergency domestic abuse protections and a standalone strangulation offence.
Last week, the JEP reported that proposed £5 million funding would support 32 new full-time posts to implement the laws, within a wider package covering 49 posts across services.
The proposed allocation initially provides 11 police officers and five specialist staff for the new laws, alongside 14 officer posts addressing existing demand.
