A prisoner at HMP Parc in Bridgend was rushed to the hospital after being subjected to an attack. The incident adds to a series of violent episodes at the troubled jail, with reports of frequent violence and drug use emerging recently. According to a source close to the prison, the assault took place on Tuesday night, resulting in the inmate sustaining head injuries and temporarily losing vision in one eye.
A spokesperson for G4S, the private security company responsible for managing Parc, confirmed that the prisoner needed hospital treatment but was able to return to the jail within a few hours. The spokeswoman also mentioned that the case had been referred to the police for further investigation. South Wales Police stated they would be looking into the assault at Parc prison.
The attack occurred on the same wing where two prisoners reportedly overdosed on a potent synthetic opioid over the weekend. Both prisoners survived after taking a substance believed to be spice laced with fentanyl, a highly potent opioid. Following the incidents, prison staff conducted early-morning searches on the wing to curb drug activity.
This recent incident follows a previous report of a Parc inmate being assaulted in his cell, resulting in serious injuries. Allegations from the inmate’s family claimed that three other prisoners had entered his cell and attacked him with a makeshift weapon, leaving him severely bruised. The previous Parc director, Heather Whitehead, left her position after a challenging period of unrest at the prison, including riots and several inmate deaths in a short timeframe.
Will Styles has since taken over as director, with a focus on addressing the issues of drug-related problems, violence, and corruption at the prison. G4S clarified that the change in leadership was not in response to a single incident. For further inquiries regarding the situation at Parc prison, individuals are encouraged to reach out to the email provided.