POLICE are investigating an alleged stabbing incident at the privately-run Parc Prison in Bridgend after a custody officer was injured.
The disturbance took place shortly before midday on Wednesday (Sept 10), when an inmate is said to have used an improvised weapon to attack a member of staff. South Wales Police confirmed they are investigating after “a prison custody officer was assaulted”. The officer sustained minor injuries.
A source familiar with conditions inside the jail claimed the prisoner involved had been confined to his cell for several days on a so-called “red regime”, imposed when staff numbers fall short. However, G4S – the company responsible for running Parc – denied this, stating that there had been no “prolonged” red regime and insisting the incident was not linked to staff shortages.
The same source also alleged that the prisoner threatened both fellow inmates and staff during the attack. G4S said: “A prison custody officer was injured following an incident on September 10. No-one else was injured and the incident was not related to the regime.”
It is the second stabbing reported at Parc in recent weeks. On July 26, one inmate was allegedly stabbed by another using a weapon made from a tin can. The injured prisoner’s mother claimed her son had been attacked in his cell by another inmate who was under the influence of the synthetic cannabinoid spice. On that occasion G4S confirmed an inmate was taken to hospital “for treatment on a minor injury”.
Concerns about safety and conditions at Parc are not new. A critical inspection report earlier this year found that easy access to drugs inside the jail had fuelled “a spate of tragic deaths”. Inspectors said standards had “declined significantly” since G4S was awarded a new 10-year contract in 2022, highlighting weaknesses such as cell windows that could be easily opened to receive drug drops from drones.
In 2023, Parc recorded 17 inmate deaths – the highest number of any prison in the UK. Five were drug-related, three self-inflicted, eight attributed to natural causes, and one of unknown cause.
Responding to the inspection, G4S said: “The first six months of 2024 were extremely difficult and our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of the men that passed away. Since then considerable work has been carried out to make significant improvements at the prison.
“We are encouraged that the report recognises that we are making solid progress and noted positive developments in tackling violence, self-harm rates, and use of force. We are determined to ensure the men in our care are safe, supported, and can feel optimistic about their futures and we are working tirelessly on a comprehensive improvement plan.”
