One death is linked to HMP Parc, one post-release from HMP Cardiff

TWO more deaths connected to Welsh prisons have been confirmed by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO), adding to what campaigners describe as a deepening crisis across the prison system in Wales.

The PPO has opened an investigation into the death of Kenneth Male, born 12 December 1957, who died on 22 November 2025 while serving his sentence at HMP/YOI Parc in Bridgend. The case appears in the Ombudsman’s official listings with the investigation currently marked as in progress.

Campaigners say his death is the 40th linked to Parc since 2022.

Mr Male’s death is considered to be a death off the premises as he died in hospital following a recall to the now notorious jail.

In a post shared widely on social media, campaign spokesman Zackery Lee Griffiths described the number of deaths as “the highest at any prison in England and Wales since 2022”, adding that bereaved families “could have been spared months or even years of grief if action had been taken earlier”.

A second new case has also been listed by the Ombudsman. Scott Price, born 12 February 1996, died on 13 November 2025, shortly after his release from HMP Cardiff. His death is categorised as post-release, with the PPO investigation also ongoing.

Both deaths will be subject to full independent investigations, which will examine the circumstances leading up to each case, the care provided, and any wider systemic issues.

Background: growing scrutiny of Welsh prison safety

The Herald has been reporting extensively on conditions at HMP Parc, including allegations of drug use, violence, failures in safeguarding, and patterns of deaths linked to synthetic drugs and medical emergencies.
Concerns have been raised repeatedly in the Senedd, with Welsh ministers and several MSs calling for urgent intervention and a full review of G4S’s running of the Bridgend facility.

The UK Government, which oversees justice and prisons in Wales, has so far resisted calls for removing the contract from G4S.

Campaigners say the latest death strengthens the case for major reform.

A HMP Parc spokesperson said: “Mr Kenneth Male passed away at an outside hospital on 22 November 2025.

“He was admitted directly to hospital following his recall to custody in October and did not spend any time within HMP Parc.”

“As with all deaths in custody, this will be investigated by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. The cause of death will be for the coroner to determine.”

The PPO will now conduct two independent investigations, with reports expected to be published publicly once completed. The Herald will continue to follow developments.

Illegal drugs operation uncovered at isolated Whitland property led to major Proceeds of Crime ruling

A FAMILY who ran a sophisticated cannabis factory from an isolated Carmarthenshire property have been ordered to repay more than £1 million in illegal profits.

Husband and wife Edward McCann, aged 65, and Linda McCann, aged 63, together with their son Daniel, aged 40, appeared at Swansea Crown Court this week (Dec 11) for a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing following their earlier convictions.

Police uncovered the family’s large-scale drug operation on 23 October 2020, when officers executed a warrant at their rural home in Blaenllain, near Whitland. Inside, they found a sophisticated setup producing herbal cannabis, cannabis resin and cannabis oil.

A detailed financial investigation estimated the potential wholesale value of the family’s drugs over a five-year period at between £1.79 million and £2.4 million, with a possible street value of up to £4.9 million.

At the POCA hearing, the court heard the McCanns’ available assets were agreed at £1,091,330. This figure included proceeds from the sale of two properties, a Mercedes, Porsche, and Harley-Davidson motorcycle, as well as valuable jewellery.

Judge Paul Thomas KC ordered the family to repay the full amount.

Detective Sergeant Owen Lock, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “Ongoing work by our economic crime team has taken the McCanns’ prison sentences one step further by ensuring they must also surrender the money and assets obtained through their criminal activity. We hope this serves as a clear warning to others — you cannot profit from crime.”

Judge says defendant’s mental health “needs sorting out”

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who stabbed her partner in the back and bicep walked straight into Haverfordwest Police Station and told officers: “I stabbed my ex-partner earlier.”

Amy Woolston, 22, entered the station at around 8:00pm on June 13 and openly confessed to the attack, Swansea Crown Court heard this week. She later pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and has now been jailed for 12 months.

‘He’s alright – he let me walk off’

Prosecutor Tom Scapens said Woolston told officers she and the victim had both taken acid earlier in the day and that she reacted after “feeling stab marks in her back”.

Police went to the victim’s home to check on his welfare. Although he was not there initially, he returned soon afterwards. Officers noted he was sober and not under the influence of any substance.

Asked what had happened, he replied: “Just a couple of things,” before gesturing to his back. He had three puncture or stab wounds to his back and a further wound to his bicep.

He told officers that Woolston had been “a bit shifty” when he returned from the shop before grabbing either a knife or a shard of glass from a windowsill and stabbing him. He refused medical treatment and added he had “had worse from her before”, confirming he did not support any prosecution.

Twenty previous convictions

Woolston, of Dartmouth Street, Milford Haven, has 20 previous convictions from 10 court appearances, including several for battery and assaults on emergency workers.

Mitigating, Dyfed Thomas said Woolston has long-standing mental health issues and had stopped taking prescribed medication for paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the incident. She was now medicated, remorseful, and engaging with support.

Judge: ‘Nobody knows what the outcome will be’

Sentencing her, Judge Geraint Walters said: “Whilst having an episode, no doubt, you stabbed your partner – something he adopted a rather blasé approach to. We need to sort out your problems. You taking a knife to somebody – you or somebody else – nobody knows what the outcome will be.”

Woolston was handed a 12-month prison sentence. As she had already served the equivalent time on remand, she was told she would be released imminently.

Judge Walters said a 12-month licence period would be “more helpful” to her going forward.