Six officers at HMP Parc have been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office as police continue to investigate a series of serious allegations at the troubled Bridgend jail.

A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said the arrests followed “a series of incidents” at the privately run prison, which has faced growing scrutiny over violence, inmate deaths, and alleged corruption.

The latest arrests at the facility, which houses many offenders from Pembrokeshire, come as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into conduct at the Category B facility, operated by security firm G4S.

In a statement, police confirmed that during a second phase of arrests in January, the following individuals were detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office:

A 35-year-old man from Bridgend

A 40-year-old man from Swansea

A 38-year-old man from Barry

A 50-year-old man from Taibach

A 23-year-old woman from Cardiff

A 36-year-old man from Llanelli

Five have been bailed while enquiries continue, and one has been released under investigation.

The second wave of arrests follows an earlier operation in September 2024, when four Parc prison officers were arrested on suspicion of assault and misconduct in public office. Those arrests were linked to the discovery of social media messages allegedly shared between staff, reportedly referring to the excessive use of force and other serious misconduct.

Police have now confirmed that no charges were brought in that first phase, but the investigation remains live.

Detective Chief Inspector Dean Taylor said officers are working closely with G4S as part of the inquiry.

A spokeswoman for the company said: “We are aware a decision has been made not to proceed further with a number of initial cases. It is not appropriate for us to comment on other cases which are ongoing, but we will continue to support police colleagues.”

Meanwhile, it has also emerged that police are probing a separate allegation that a group of officers at Parc assaulted an inmate, leaving him with serious injuries including possible broken ribs and heavy bruising. The incident was reported last Saturday and remains under investigation.

G4S has declined to comment directly on the alleged assault.

The prison has been engulfed in controversy over the past year, with a steady stream of reports highlighting issues with violence, drug use, staff shortages, and inmate deaths.

In the wake of last year’s riot at Parc, G4S replaced the prison’s director by mutual agreement. The role was taken over by Will Styles, formerly of G4S-run HMP Five Wells in Northamptonshire.

Earlier this week, The Herald reported that police are investigating an alleged sexual assault on a young inmate on X1 Wing, said to have involved coercion and scalding.

Zack Griffiths of the HMP Prisons Justice Group, speaking about that case, said: “A vulnerable young person was left exposed to a violent, dangerous offender, and the consequences have been devastating. This isn’t just an individual crime—it is a catastrophic failure of the prison system to safeguard those in its care.”

The Ministry of Justice’s anti-corruption unit is working alongside South Wales Police as part of the wider investigation into the jail.

HMP Parc is the largest prison in Wales and one of the few in the UK operated by a private firm. The growing number of allegations has sparked renewed calls for an independent inquiry into its management and oversight.

In addition to the ongoing police investigations, the prison has recorded multiple deaths over the past 12 months. At least eight inmates are reported to have died in that period. Some of those deaths are understood to be drug-related or suspected suicides, though not all have been officially confirmed.

Campaigners and whistleblowers have warned that conditions inside Parc have become dangerously unstable, with claims that vulnerable prisoners are frequently left without adequate supervision or support.

None of the officers arrested to date have been charged, and all remain innocent unless proven otherwise.

The Herald has contacted G4S and the Ministry of Justice for further comment.

ORGANISATIONS across West Wales have signed a new charter committing to improve health and wellbeing in local communities.

At the recent Social Model for Health and Wellbeing Summit, leaders from Hywel Dda University Health Board, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire County Councils, the Welsh Government, Public Health Wales, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and regional voluntary organisations signed the Social Model for Health and Wellbeing (SMfHW) Charter.

The charter sets out a commitment to reduce health inequalities and support communities to take greater control over their own health. It promotes early identification of illness, prevention, and timely intervention.

The model also highlights that achieving good health is a shared responsibility between health services, government, local authorities, the voluntary sector, businesses, academia, communities and individuals.

Dr Ardiana Gjini, Director of Public Health at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said:
“The summit provided a platform for meaningful discussion and exploring further collaboration. It reinforced our commitment, alongside our partners, to apply the SMfHW principles and work directly with communities to improve health and wellbeing across Wales.

“We look forward to working together to embed these principles and deliver on the charter’s goals, using a whole-system approach.”

Experts from across the UK contributed to the summit, sharing insights into different aspects of public health.

Cormac Russell, Founding Director of Nurture Development, spoke about the damaging effects of social isolation and the need for community-led approaches. He said:
“Communities have the potential to be the primary creators of local health and wellbeing. Local organisations can support this by investing in community development. There is already so much great work happening in Welsh communities—organisations can help it grow by enabling, not controlling.”

Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Professor of Epidemiology at University College London and Director of the UCL Institute of Health Equity, added:
“Health inequalities are not inevitable. They are a result of the conditions in which we are born, grow, live, work and age.”

Using data, Professor Marmot highlighted the scale of the gap not just in life expectancy, but also in areas such as education and energy costs. He called on those attending, and people across the UK, to act urgently to address these inequalities and improve public health.

Other speakers included Marie Brousseau-Navarro, Deputy Commissioner and Director for Health at the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales; Cllr Jane Tremlett, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Services at Carmarthenshire County Council; Professor Phil Kloer, Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board; Jessica Bickerton, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS); and Cllr Neil Prior, Chair of Pembrokeshire Public Services Board.

Each speaker shared views on the local challenges and opportunities in improving health outcomes.

More information about the Social Model for Health and Wellbeing is available at: hduhb.nhs.wales/SMFHW

Funding aimed at helping steelworkers stay in or return to work

MORE than £3 million is being invested by the UK Government and Neath Port Talbot Council to boost mental health services for Tata Steel workers, their families and the wider Port Talbot community.

The £3.27 million package, announced by Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens on Wednesday (March 27), forms part of the Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board’s wider £80 million support fund. Over £50 million has already been allocated to help steelworkers and supply chain businesses as the company moves to greener steelmaking.

The new funding will focus on mental health and wellbeing – an area identified as crucial for helping those affected by the transition to secure and sustain employment.

Services set to benefit include:

• Recruitment of additional counsellors to support affected workers
• Grants and resources for existing mental health provision
• Expansion of peer and community support networks such as Men’s Sheds and She Sheds
• Support in schools for children impacted by changes at Tata Steel
• Specialist advice on welfare and debt for affected families
• Suicide prevention and awareness training for council and trade union support staff

The funding is flexible and could be increased depending on demand.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:
“The past 18 months have been incredibly difficult for the steelworkers of Port Talbot, their families and the wider community. We said we would back them in whatever ways were needed.
“We are helping people learn new skills, but we also need to help protect people’s mental health. Well-being is crucial to getting back into work and staying in work.
“By boosting direct support services, we are investing in the people of the area and supporting growth in the local economy.”

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans MS added:
“Working alongside our Transition Board partners, we will continue to ensure the right assistance is in place for those impacted, as well as providing opportunities for growth, investment and employment wherever they arise.”

Neath Port Talbot Council Leader Cllr Steve Hunt welcomed the funding, saying:
“We know the impact of change at the steelworks is being felt deeply across the area, particularly in Port Talbot where most households are affected in some way.
“This is a vital addition to the support already being delivered as we adapt to the future of steelmaking and prepare for the new opportunities brought by developments like the Celtic Freeport.”

Martyn Wagstaff, a local mental health advisor, said:
“It’s really important that anyone struggling with their mental health asks for help.
“This funding means that people in Neath Port Talbot will be able to access more support when they need it.”

The Transition Board will announce further funding for regeneration and job creation projects in the coming months, with tens of millions of pounds still to be allocated.