HMP Parc Investigated Over Excessive Force Messages Amid High Inmate Death Toll

An investigation is underway at the prison that has recorded the highest number of inmate fatalities in Wales and England this year. The probe concerns communications exchanged among staff members regarding the disproportionate application of force against prisoners. Prisons Minister James Timpson stated in correspondence to the Justice and Home Affairs Committee that HMP Parc in Bridgend was under scrutiny by the prison service’s corruption unit. He further detailed, “HM Prison and Probation Service is working closely with South Wales Police following the discovery of messages on social media shared between staff relating to excessive use of force on prisoners and other serious allegations.” In September, four custody officers from the facility were taken into custody on suspicion of assault and misconduct in public office. A spokesperson for HMP Parc issued a statement, saying: “The vast majority of our staff are hardworking and honest. We are absolutely committed to rooting out any wrongdoing.“We take these allegations very seriously and are fully supporting the police with their investigation.” This year to date, seventeen inmates have reportedly died at Parc, surpassing the death toll of any other prison. G4S, the security firm operating HMP Parc, verified this figure, with eight of these deaths understood to have resulted from natural causes. Additionally, three prisoners required hospitalization after an incident of disorder occurred at the prison in June. A minimum of four of the fatalities are thought to be linked to drugs. Lord Timpson indicated that G4S was collaborating with law enforcement to suspend personnel as required. He also specified that the allegations do not pertain to the young offenders’ section of HMP Parc. He reiterated that the “vast majority” of staff were “hardworking and honest”. In May, relatives of deceased inmates staged a protest outside the institution, demanding responses from authorities concerning allegations of drug misuse inside the facility. HMP Parc ranks among the United Kingdom’s largest Category B prisons, housing convicted adult male and young offenders, alongside individuals convicted of sex offenses or those awaiting trial for such offenses. G4S had previously stated its adherence to a “zero-tolerance policy towards drugs.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.