Seventeen deaths, drugs crisis and violence still unresolved at Bridgend jail

PLANS to expand HMP Parc must be put on hold immediately, MPs have warned, amid ongoing concerns about deaths, drugs, violence and the safety of inmates and staff.

A new report from the Welsh Affairs Committee says the proposed expansion of the Bridgend prison would be a dangerous distraction, risking progress made after a series of serious failings.

The intervention follows mounting scrutiny of the prison, where seventeen men died in 2024, prompting widespread concern over conditions inside the facility.

Serious concerns remain

Despite some signs of improvement, MPs say HMP Parc continues to face deep-rooted problems, including high levels of violence, self-harm and drug misuse.

Inspectors previously found prisoners were spending up to 21 hours a day locked in their cells, while mental health and substance misuse services were described as under-resourced.

Although recent inspections noted some progress—particularly in disrupting drug supply—MPs concluded that insufficient improvement has been made in key areas, including prisoner safety and rehabilitation.

Expansion plans under fire

The Ministry of Justice wants to add 345 extra inmates and around 160 staff to the prison as part of a wider UK strategy to increase capacity.

But the committee said HMP Parc is not currently suitable for expansion, warning it could undermine fragile improvements and place further strain on an already pressured system.

MPs acknowledged the need for more prison places but stressed that Parc should not be expanded until safety issues are fully addressed.

Drugs and overcrowding highlighted

The report raises ongoing concerns about the availability of drugs inside the prison, describing the problem as “alarming”.

Recent figures show around 40% of inmates are held in crowded conditions, while drug use remains widespread despite efforts to clamp down on supply.

Campaigners say too many vulnerable prisoners are being held in poor conditions, increasing the risk of violence, despair and self-harm.

Herald investigation focus

The findings echo concerns previously raised by this newspaper following a series of deaths at the prison.

The Herald has reported extensively on the growing crisis at Parc, including the impact of powerful synthetic drugs, the use of drones to smuggle contraband, and ongoing concerns about prisoner safety and welfare.

MPs’ conclusions now reinforce those concerns, warning that while progress has been made, serious risks remain inside the prison.

Calls for urgent rethink

The committee has now formally called on the UK Government to pause the expansion plans and reconsider whether they can be delivered safely.

Responding to the report, the Ministry of Justice said it was taking “decisive action” to address pressures in the prison system, including plans to create 14,000 additional prison places across England and Wales.

HMP Parc said recent inspection findings showed progress in tackling drug supply, which it said was helping to reduce violence and self-harm.

Background

HMP Parc is a category B prison in Bridgend, operated by G4S, and houses around 1,700 to 1,800 inmates.

It has been under intense scrutiny since 2024 following a series of deaths linked to drugs, suicide and natural causes, alongside ongoing concerns about safety and conditions.

FOUR-and-a-half year sentence after driver sped through village and fled scene, leaving family searching for missing father

A DELIVERY driver has been jailed after causing the death of a father-of-two in a crash in Carmarthenshire.

Daniel Douglas Wyke, aged 28, from Carmarthen, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Mar 30) after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

The court heard that Wyke was travelling at 34mph in a 20mph zone through the village of Llanpumsaint on the evening of December 23, 2024, when he struck Aaron Jones, 38, who had been out walking his dog.

Mr Jones suffered fatal injuries in the collision.

Instead of stopping, Wyke fled the scene in his damaged vehicle. Police were able to quickly identify the vehicle involved, and he was arrested the following day.

The court was told that Mr Jones’ loved ones were left desperately searching for him in the hours after the collision, unaware of what had happened.

Sentencing, the judge described Wyke’s actions as “cruelly inhumane,” telling the court that he had been “more intent on saving his own skin” than considering the harm he might have caused.

He added that Wyke’s dangerous driving had cost the life of “a well-loved father of two children, an adored husband and son, and a man who was a good friend to so many.”

Wyke was jailed for four-and-a-half years and disqualified from driving for eight years and two months.

Paying tribute, Mr Jones’ family described him as “a remarkable, strong, caring and brilliant man who always led by the best example.”

They added: “We would like to thank Dyfed-Powys Police, and especially the investigation team, for thoroughly investigating Aaron’s case and supporting us during this awful time, and helping to secure today’s sentence.

“We would also like to thank Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity for their priceless continuing support to our family.

“We are so fortunate to have the support of dear family and friends but also a community that continue to care for us as we try to rebuild our lives without Aaron.”

Sergeant Nicholas Brookes, of Dyfed-Powys Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This was a tragic incident that has left a family grieving a dad, husband and son, whose absence is felt as strongly now as 15 months ago.

“The defendant was proven to be driving incredibly dangerously through Llanpumsaint on the night of December 23, 2024, and Aaron’s death was the devastating – and entirely avoidable – result of this.

“Our investigation has been lengthy and detailed as we worked thoroughly to secure justice for Aaron’s family, who have been at the heart of all our actions.”

A TEENAGER has admitted dealing drugs after being caught with cocaine, cannabis and cash during a targeted police stop in Carmarthenshire .

Cole Stevens, aged 19, from Llanelli, was stopped by Dyfed-Powys Police officers after being seen driving a white Renault Clio suspected of being linked to drug supply in the area.

Officers from the Roads Policing Unit intercepted the vehicle on Capel Isaf Road shortly after 10:30pm on Saturday (Mar 28), carrying out a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

During the search, Stevens immediately admitted he was in possession of cannabis, handing it to officers. A further search uncovered a mobile phone hidden under the driver’s seat and a tobacco pouch containing 12 snap bags of white powder, confirmed by Stevens to be cocaine.

Police also recovered a wrap of white crystalline substance from inside his sock, along with £780 in cash.

Stevens was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs and taken into custody. A subsequent search of his home uncovered handwritten notes believed to be linked to drug dealing activity.

While in custody, Stevens made a number of incriminating remarks, including: “I just have to do it to earn a living,” and “you got me, you have what you need…”

Drug experts later confirmed the quantity of substances seized exceeded what would be considered for personal use, with an estimated street value of £1,460.

Stevens appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 30), where he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession of cannabis, acquiring criminal property, and being concerned in the supply of cocaine between Oct 30, 2025 and Mar 28, 2026.

He was released on conditional bail and is due to be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on April 20.

Detective Constable Steve Thomas said: “This result highlights our commitment to proactively removing drugs from our streets through targeted and intelligence-led patrols.

“The weight of evidence against Stevens left him no option but to plead guilty.

“If you are dealing drugs in the Dyfed-Powys force area, you will be caught and you will be prosecuted.”