Has Zack Griffiths been locked up for speaking out?

ZACK GRIFFITHS, a prominent whistleblower and prison reform campaigner, has been recalled to prison and is now facing fresh criminal charges — sparking outrage across Wales and beyond.

The 35-year-old, who has helped lead protests over the management of HMP Parc in Bridgend, was arrested at Cardiff Crown Court last week and is expected to remain in custody until at least October. Supporters have called his detention “a national scandal” and “a clear attempt to criminalise whistleblowing.”

The prison houses hundreds of inmates from Pembrokeshire, as it is the our nearest long-term jail and the largest in Wales.

Campaigners — including bereaved families, justice groups and former inmates — say the authorities are targeting Griffiths because he has consistently spoken out about deaths, alleged abuse and neglect at the G4S-run prison.

Arrested, recalled and facing new charges
Griffiths was arrested at court while attending a scheduled hearing. A video widely shared on social media shows officers detaining him under Section 43 of the Prison Act 1952 — an obscure offence linked to blackmail involving unauthorised prison communications.

That blackmail charge has since been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service, with no case to answer. Griffiths now faces a charge of malicious communications under the new Online Safety Act — an offence that could lead to further time in custody.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police, when asked by The Herald about the arrest, said:
“South Wales Police neither confirms nor denies names put to us in connection to an arrest and nor do we provide guidance on names put to us.”

Why he was on licence
Griffiths was on licence at the time, following a 12-month sentence handed down in November 2024. He had pleaded guilty to transmitting an image from prison and sending offensive communications, after posting a video online which showed HMP Parc officers restraining an inmate.

The court ruled the footage breached prison security and imposed a restraining order banning him from contacting certain individuals or sharing related material. Breaching such conditions — including through alleged malicious communications — allows the Probation Service to recall an individual to custody.

“The only one telling the truth”

Griffiths is the co-founder of Predator Awareness, a group originally set up to expose child grooming gangs and institutional failings. More recently, he co-led the HMP Prison Justice Group, which has campaigned for transparency and reform at UK prisons, particularly HMP Parc.

Since early 2024, he has been one of the most outspoken critics of G4S and South Wales Police — sharing testimonies from families, whistleblowers, and former officers, and helping to organise vigils and protests outside Parc prison.

“Zack is the only one who has dared to name names and shine a light on what’s going on,” said Sean Wilson, a fellow campaigner. “And now he’s been silenced. The system wants him gone.”

Tom Blewitt, another organiser, posted: “He’s had a full recall. They’re panicking because we’re getting too close to the truth. But this won’t stop us — it just proves we’re right.”

On Griffiths’ official Facebook page, his partner shared a heartbreaking message: “I don’t have my partner here to hold me anymore. He sacrificed himself for the greater good… My family is broken.”

“He gave us a voice”: Zack’s final protest

Just days before his arrest, Griffiths organised what would become his final public protest — a highly visible demonstration outside HMP Parc attended by dozens of bereaved families and national media outlets. Around twenty people stood together at the gates of the troubled Bridgend prison, demanding that G4S be stripped of its contract and that urgent reforms be introduced to tackle what they described as a “drug epidemic” and “mental health emergency” behind the walls.

Among those present were the families of men who had died inside Parc — some from suspected spice overdoses, others by suicide. Mothers, siblings, and partners spoke candidly about their pain, the unanswered questions surrounding their loved ones’ deaths, and their fears for those still incarcerated. Protesters carried placards and gave interviews to TV and radio crews, helping to catapult the issue onto the national agenda.

Clare Jones, whose 29-year-old son Ross died in Parc in 2023, said: “This needs to stop. Ten days before Ross died, another boy passed away. They were warned to make improvements — nothing changed. Zack was the only one who gave us a voice.”

Frances Jones, who lost her nephew Michael “Mikey” Horton to suicide inside Parc at just 19, said: “There were 33 families like us, maybe more now. Zack helped bring us together. We believe justice will come — but not without a fight.”

Brandon Lee-Jones, Mikey’s cousin, added: “He committed suicide, but no-one was there to help him. He felt so alone. Zack gave us a reason to keep pushing for answers.”

The Herald understands the protest attracted widespread media coverage and placed significant pressure on authorities — just days before Griffiths’ sudden recall to prison.

HMP Parc: A prison in crisis
The arrest comes amid mounting scrutiny of conditions inside Parc. Since the start of 2024, at least seven inmates have died at the Category B private prison, with causes ranging from suspected overdoses and suicide to alleged neglect.

In January, six prison officers were arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Investigations are ongoing, and G4S has confirmed it is cooperating with the Ministry of Justice.

“My son died in Parc last year. We still haven’t had an inquest,” one grieving mother told The Herald. “Zack was the only one who cared. Now they’ve taken him too.”

Legal support grows
A fundraiser titled “Justice for Zack Griffiths – Support His Fight” has been launched to help cover legal costs. It has already raised hundreds of pounds, with messages of support from across the UK.

Sophie Lewis, who started the campaign, said:
“Zack stood up when nobody else would. Now we must stand up for him. This is about truth and accountability.”

Concerns have been raised that Griffiths’ legal team needs strengthening ahead of a potential hearing at Swansea Crown Court later this month.

Demands for inquiry and intervention
There are now growing calls for a public inquiry into the management of HMP Parc and the handling of Griffiths’ arrest by South Wales Police.

“If speaking up about dead prisoners gets you jailed, but those responsible walk free — we don’t live in a democracy anymore,” said one campaigner. “We live in fear.”

Several groups are calling on the Justice Secretary, the Parole Board and the Independent Office for Police Conduct to intervene.

“You can’t jail the whistleblower and walk away,” said one supporter. “This country needs to wake up.”

What comes next
Griffiths remains in custody and is expected to be held until at least October 2025 pending the outcome of the malicious communications charge. A court date has not yet been set.

Meanwhile, protests calling for his release are gaining momentum, both on the streets and online. Supporters say they will not stop until Griffiths is freed and a full inquiry is launched into what they describe as “the Parc Prison cover-up.”