Another inmate dies at troubled Parc Prison (original) (raw)

A man has died while serving as an inmate at Parc Prison, Bridgend, it has been confirmed. David Ridgway, 51, died at the Category B private jail on Monday, October 7. His cause of death has not been confirmed, neither has the offence for which he was serving time.

The prisoner's death is the 16th confirmed at Parc Prison since late February and comes as an inquiry into Welsh jails is to be re-opened. The death will be investigated by the Prison and Probation Ombudsman as with all deaths in Prison.

There has been controversy over G4S’ running of HMP Parc, which as well as a number of deaths has seen rioting, staff arrests, and allegations of rampant drug-dealing and corruption. Some of the deaths have involved drugs or self-harm.

READ MORE: Prisoner dies at Welsh jail

Last month four of Parc’s staff members were arrested on suspicion of assault and misconduct in a public office. Now, an inquiry into Welsh jails is to be re-opened as controversy continues to hang over Bridgend's HMP Parc. Labour MP Ruth Jones, chairwoman elect of the UK Parliament's Welsh Affairs Committee, described the issues at Parc as "very concerning" as she pledged the committee would re-open its inquiry into Welsh prisons.

Before the general election the committee was told that staff at Parc had been taking illegal substances into the prison and that "drugs are everywhere, from cannabis to heroin". It came after WalesOnline reported allegations from many former Parc prisoners and staff members that drug use and violence were out of control amid chronic understaffing and a lack of mental health support.

G4S, the private security giant that runs the jail, replaced the director of Parc by mutual agreement in June and the role was taken up by Will Styles, who previously ran another G4S jail, HMP Five Wells in Northamptonshire. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.

Confirming the latest death, a spokesperson for HMP Parc said: "We are saddened to confirm that Mr David Ridgway, aged 51, passed away on Monday 7 October 2024. As with all deaths in custody, this will be investigated by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and the cause of death is for the coroner to determine."

Commenting on the string of deaths to occur in the facility in 2024, a HMP Parc spokesperson added: “Parc has experienced a number of tragic deaths in custody this year and our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of the men that died. Understandably, the whole community - staff and prisoners alike - have also been affected by these deaths.

“Over the last four months, the team at Parc has worked at pace to make improvements at the prison with a focus on six key areas - staffing, safety, security, drugs, regime and respect. Outcomes are improving in these areas. Self harm and violence have reduced between April and September this year.

“To tackle the scourge of both drug supply and demand, we have reviewed and strengthened both security and drug treatment services. We also work closely with the police to crackdown on the multiple ways criminals attempt to bring contraband into the prison.”

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