Plans for extra cells at vulnerable care unit

Additional cells for a new vulnerable care unit have been proposed at Jersey's prison, ahead of new laws to protect women and girls.

Politicians approved a series of laws offering more protection for women and girls from violence and domestic abuse. The changes include stand-alone offences for stalking and non-fatal strangulation.

Home affairs minister, Senator Helen Miles, said a new care and separation building had been proposed with more flexible accommodation for prisoners with varying health and other needs.

Miles said it would provide extra capacity to match the "anticipated growth in demand" from the new legislation and other prison population pressures.

"The proposal is currently at an early feasibility and design stage, with the high-level principles scoped as part of a business case which will now be subject to internal appraisal and refinement," Miles said.

"Capacity, costs, funding and timescales have therefore not yet been determined.

"Any development would need to be considered as part of the government's long-term capital planning process."

The first of five new laws to protect women and girls is due to come into force on 1 December.

It follows a letter by the children, education and home affairs scrutiny panel regarding the proposed budget 2027-2030 review.

In a response letter, Miles said planning permission had been granted for a new sexual assault referral centre, with work set to start at the end of November and be completed in 2028.

The justice and home affairs minister said she was satisfied the proposed budget provided an appropriate level of funding to meet the policing and emergency service demand.

In terms of policing, Miles said crimes related to violence against women and girls had increased by about 30% across four years.

The minister said 844 offences were recorded in 2025, while rape and serious sexual offences increased by 58%.

"Policing demand has increased significantly over recent years, particularly in violence against women and girls, public protection and complex investigations," Miles said.

"This existing pressure is expected to increase further over the budget period following implementation of the five new VAWG laws approved by the States Assembly.

"Depending on where demand falls within that range, the modelling identified a potential requirement for an additional 11 to 23 police officers, 5 to 13 police staff and further capacity across victim services."

The minister said the proposed resource allocation addressed both current demand which has built up over recent years and readiness for the new legislation.

Follow BBC Jersey on X,Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.