Dozens of Pembrokeshire inmates among those affected as assaults surge behind bars

VIOLENCE inside HMP Parc has more than doubled in the past five years, with a sharp rise in both prisoner-on-prisoner assaults and attacks on staff, according to figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests.

Many inmates from Pembrokeshire are currently housed at the privately-run Bridgend prison, which serves as the main Category B facility for much of South and West Wales.

The new data, released by Legal Expert, reveals that assaults between prisoners have soared from 255 in 2019 to 522 in 2024/25. Over the same period, staff assaults have almost doubled from 99 in 2022/23 to 199 in 2024/25.

Experts say the violence is being fuelled by chronic overcrowding, staff shortages, and worsening mental health among inmates. Government research published in June confirmed a strong link between overcrowding and violence, showing that prisoners in overpopulated jails are nearly 20% more likely to be involved in assaults.

In response, the Ministry of Justice has pledged £40 million in new security measures as part of its “Plan for Change”, including the creation of 14,000 additional prison places by 2031.

Patrick Mallon, a solicitor at JF Law, said: “The consistent rise in assaults across UK prisons highlights a system stretched to breaking point. With record inmate numbers and many facilities operating beyond capacity, the environment has become increasingly volatile.

“The government must ensure that investment isn’t limited to infrastructure but also focuses on addressing staff shortages and improving inmate welfare. Without that, violence will continue to escalate.”

HMP Parc currently holds around 1,800 inmates. Nationally, the prison population has more than doubled in the past three decades—from 43,000 in 1994 to over 88,000 in 2024—while staffing levels have remained largely unchanged.

Across England and Wales last year, there were 10,568 assaults on prison staff and 20,570 prisoner-on-prisoner assaults—rises of 7% and 9% respectively.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “This government inherited a prison system in crisis, overcrowded and rife with violence. We are fixing this by delivering the fastest prison-building programme in over a century.”

Patrick Mallon added: “The Prison Service has a legal duty of care to protect individuals in its custody. Where it has failed to do so—such as by not segregating a vulnerable inmate—that individual may be entitled to seek compensation.

“Prison officers also have a right to a safe workplace, with proper training and resources. These claims are not just about compensation, but about holding authorities to account and demanding systemic change.”

HMP Parc has been the subject of multiple high-profile incidents in recent years, including drug-related deaths and concerns about gang control. Several offenders from Pembrokeshire have served or are currently serving their sentences there.