An investigation is set to be relaunched after a series of troubling deaths at Parc prison in Bridgend. The prison, which has had 13 inmate deaths within eight months, has also faced issues such as riots, allegations of widespread drug trafficking, and corruption. Labour MP Ruth Jones, who is set to lead the UK Parliament’s Welsh Affairs Committee, expressed deep concerns over the situation at Parc and confirmed that the committee will reinstate its inquiry into Welsh prisons.
Recent incidents at Parc include the arrest of four staff members on suspicion of assault and misconduct in a public office. While some inmate deaths have been linked to drugs or self-harm, the most recent ones are not believed to be related to these issues. Prior to the general election, reports emerged of staff smuggling illegal substances into the prison, prompting a closer look at the situation. Numerous former prisoners and staff members have complained about the prevalence of drug use and violence, exacerbated by understaffing and lack of mental health support.
G4S, the company managing Parc, replaced the prison’s director earlier this year and has been urged to address security concerns by the UK Government. Families of deceased inmates have protested outside the facility, calling for G4S to lose its contract worth £400 million. The government has mandated urgent security improvements at Parc following reports that most drugs were being brought in by staff members.
Ruth Jones aims to resume prison inquiries, including visits to HMP Parc, along with other important ongoing investigations. She emphasised the need to address the instability within Welsh prisons, especially at Parc, highlighting the importance of new MPs’ contributions to the committee.
The situation at Parc has sparked widespread concern, with calls for swift and effective action to address the rampant drug crisis and improve security measures. G4S has pledged to enhance its efforts to prevent the entry of drugs into the prison and ensure the safety of inmates. If you have information or would like to share your experiences regarding Parc prison, you can contact WalesOnline at [email protected].