Crime

Inmate suddenly dies at troubled Welsh prison, adding to alarming death toll

Published

1 year ago

March 2, 2025

PARC PRISON, WHICH HOUSES MANY OFFENDERS FROM PEMBROKESHIRE, HAS THE HIGHEST DEATH RATE IN ENGLAND AND WALES

CONCERNS over safety at HMP Parc have deepened following the sudden death of a 49-year-old inmate at the troubled Bridgend prison on Saturday (Mar 1).

South Wales Police confirmed the death, stating that there were no suspicious circumstances and that the coroner has been informed.

The incident adds to an already alarming death toll at HMP Parc, which recorded 17 inmate deaths in 2024—the highest number of any prison in England and Wales.

GROWING CONCERNS OVER DEATHS AND CONDITIONS

G4S, the private security firm responsible for managing the facility, has confirmed the 17 deaths. It is understood that:

Eight deaths were due to natural causes.
At least four are believed to have been drug-related.
Three prisoners were hospitalised following disorder in June.

HMP Parc has been under scrutiny for its handling of violence, drug misuse, and rising mortality rates. In May, families of deceased inmates staged protests outside the prison, demanding accountability and action over claims that authorities had failed to tackle drug misuse inside the facility.

***Reinforcements arrive during a disturbance at the prison in June 2024 (Image: Herald)***

A TROUBLED HISTORY

HMP Parc is one of the UK’s largest Category B prisons, housing adult male offenders, young offenders, and individuals convicted or accused of sex offences.

It houses many offenders from Pembrokeshire, as it is the nearest long-term prison.

Despite G4S stating that it has a “zero-tolerance policy towards drugs”, the prison has been the subject of repeated allegations of mismanagement, security failings, and corruption. Concerns about the availability of illicit substances, organised violence, and deteriorating conditions have been repeatedly raised by campaigners and inmates’ families.

A spokesperson for G4S said: “Next of kin has been informed, and our thoughts are with his family and friends. 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.”

***Prison officers prepare to enter a cell during a training exercise (File image)***

CALLS FOR TRANSPARENCY AND REFORM

Following the latest fatality, HMP Prisons Justice Group has issued a statement condemning the handling of inmate welfare at HMP Parc.

The group claims the death occurred on A3 Wing, bringing the total number of confirmed fatalities at the prison to 32 since February 2022.

A spokesperson for the group said: “We believe that once again, staff negligence and security failures have cost a life. Night staff failed to conduct proper welfare checks, and morning handover staff failed to confirm the inmate was breathing or check for signs of life. These basic safeguarding duties were ignored, allowing yet another inmate to die under G4S management.”

The group has also raised serious concerns over reports that a highly potent batch of synthetic cannabis, known as ‘Killer Spice’, is circulating on A3 Wing.

There are fears that the substance may be laced with fentanyl or nitazines, which can cause severe medical distress, including projectile vomiting, loss of consciousness, and extreme reactions.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

19 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

20 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.