Crime
Chief Inspector warns of ‘revolving door’ as 1,750 inmates released early
CONCERNS are mounting as around 1,750 inmates are set to be released early from overcrowded UK prisons, despite warnings that the scheme could lead to increased instability in communities. A former inmate from HMP Parc in Wales cautioned that “unstable” prisoners, who have not been rehabilitated, will soon “come back out on to the streets.”
The controversial decision has been made to alleviate overcrowding, with the government stating that failure to act would have led to a “total collapse of the criminal justice system.” However, Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector of Prisons, has criticised the scheme, warning that prisons risk becoming a “revolving door” where offenders return to crime due to inadequate rehabilitation efforts.
Mr Taylor highlighted the strain this mass release will place on already stretched probation services, telling Sky News on Tuesday (Sept 10): “It’s a risky time with so many prisoners coming out at the same time.”
Normally, around 1,000 prisoners are released weekly, but with this scheme, an additional 1,700 offenders will be freed. Another wave of 2,000 releases is expected in October, heightening the risk to public safety.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood defended the decision, attributing the move to a prison system on the verge of collapse. She stated: “The alternative would have seen a total breakdown of law and order, with courts unable to conduct trials and police unable to make arrests.” She assured that early release does not apply to inmates convicted of sexual offences, serious violence, terrorism, or domestic abuse.
The government’s decision coincides with a damning report from the Chief Inspector of Prisons, which paints a grim picture of life behind bars. The report reveals a surge in drug use, self-harm, and violence in prisons, with 30 out of 32 inspected institutions rated poorly in providing purposeful activity. It also highlights the issue of overcrowding, with 60% of prisons over capacity, exacerbating already dire conditions.
At HMP Bedford, 30% of prisoners due for release had no secure accommodation, adding to the concerns that many offenders may find themselves homeless, compounding their likelihood of reoffending.
A former inmate of HMP Parc, Zack Griffiths, who has campaigned for prison reform, shared his concerns about drugs entering the prison, claiming that corrupt officers and drones were smuggling substances in. He said: “These people are not being rehabilitated. Inmates are going to come back out on to the streets… and I consider them to be a higher risk because they’re using drugs, they’re unstable.”
The problem of synthetic drugs in prisons, particularly spice and nitazines, has been linked to several deaths. Earlier this year, there were ten deaths in HMP Parc over just three months, and self-harm incidents in the prison have doubled in the past year. One case, involving 26-year-old Ryan Harding, who died of a suspected overdose, highlighted the growing danger of synthetic drugs inside prisons.
Ryan’s mother, Catherine Harding, criticised the prison, alleging that her son was more vulnerable due to inadequate medical treatment for his epilepsy and that prison officers were involved in bringing drugs into the facility.
HMP Parc, which is privately run by G4S, has faced significant scrutiny. While the company expressed condolences to families affected by inmate deaths, it acknowledged the challenges posed by a “small minority” of corrupt officers.
The early release programme, intended to relieve pressure on the prison system, has sparked widespread concern, with fears that many released inmates will breach their bail conditions or reoffend, leading them straight back to overcrowded prisons.
Crime
Man charged with attempted murder after child found in critical condition
A MAN has been charged after an incident in Cardigan on Wednesday, January 15.
Police were called to an address in Y Ferwig, Cardigan, shortly before 10:15pm following a report of concerns for the welfare of an infant.
A young child was immediately taken to hospital, where they remain in a critical condition.
Rhydian Jamieson, 27, from Cwm Cou, Newcastle Emlyn, has been charged with attempted murder.
Jamieson has been remanded into custody and is set to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Monday (Jan 20).
Investigators have expressed gratitude for the support of the community while enquiries continue.
Crime
Air ambulance called to Parc Prison as inmate suffers ‘severe medical episode’
THE TROUBLED HMP Parc prison in Bridgend faced yet another incident today (January 18), with an air ambulance called to respond to a medical emergency involving an inmate suffering from psychosis.
According to the HMP Prisons Justice Group UK, the incident unfolded during a visitation session when the inmate, reportedly diagnosed with psychosis, experienced a severe panic attack that left him struggling to breathe. Despite prior warnings from medical professionals about his condition, it is alleged that neither G4S, the private firm managing Parc, nor Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, acted to ensure the prisoner received the treatment he urgently needed.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and distressing, with children and visitors visibly upset. Reports suggest healthcare staff on-site intervened by administering Naloxone, which some prisoners call a “salt shot”.
Naloxone, is an opioid antagonist, a medication used to reverse or reduce the effects of opioids, leading to the inmate collapsing and requiring emergency evacuation to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff for further assessment.
The inmate’s history reveals a troubling pattern of neglect. After a psychiatric assessment on December 13, 2024, he was diagnosed with psychosis and deemed unfit to plead during a court hearing on December 20. The court ordered his transfer to a mental health facility for treatment and anti-psychotic medication. However, as of today, the transfer had not been carried out, leaving the individual untreated for over three months while on remand.
The HMP Prisons Justice Group claims that G4S initially attempted to attribute today’s episode to drug use, a claim that has since been refuted. “When the salt shot was administered, his breathing improved, which wouldn’t have happened if it was drug-related,” the group stated. They accused G4S of using this defense to divert attention from what they describe as systemic neglect.
Campaigners are now calling for urgent reforms to prevent further incidents at Parc Prison. The facility has been plagued by controversy, with ongoing allegations of corruption, inadequate healthcare, and rising violence. Last year alone, assaults on staff increased by 109%, and the prison recorded 17 deaths within 11 months.
The inmate involved in today’s incident is reportedly undergoing psychological assessment at the Heath Hospital, with calls for his immediate sectioning to secure the treatment he needs. Critics argue that the prison’s failure to act on prior court orders highlights the ongoing crisis at Parc.
Campaigners insist that the incident underscores the urgent need for systemic reform at the privately-run facility.
This latest incident raises questions about the prison’s capacity to manage vulnerable inmates and provides further evidence of the deteriorating conditions at Parc Prison, which continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The Wales Air Ambulance has confirmed attendance.
A spokesperson for HMP Parc said: “Our staff responded quickly to a medical incident this afternoon (18 Jan), with a prisoner being taken out to hospital by road ambulance.”
G4S said that primary and secondary healthcare services at HMP Parc are provided by NHS Wales through Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
Crime
Milford paedophile caught with 1600 indecent images of children avoids jail
A PAEDOPHILE has avoided prison sentence after being caught with nearly 1,600 sickening indecent images and videos of children on his computer – including babies as young as six months old being subjected to abuse from both adults and animals.
Jamie Hughes, 34, now of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, admitted to possessing the material when police attended his address in November 2023.
As officers prepared to search his devices, Hughes said: “It’s me. It’s on my computer.”
Prosecutor Alycia Campanini told Swansea Crown Court that around 1600 indecent images were discovered on Hughes’ gaming laptop. These were classified as:
- 409 Category A images (the most serious),
- 256 Category B images, and
- 886 Category C images.
Among the highly disturbing files was a sickening collage of naked children aged between two and nine being whipped, a video of a dog performing a sexual act on a baby aged between six months and a year, and footage of a child aged five to seven being raped by an adult male.
Hughes’ device also contained files with titles such as “paedo videos” and “young girls and boys,” and his internet history included search terms like “cute pre-teen girls” and “porn pre-teen.”
During his first interview on November 29 he made no comment except to admit possession of indecent images. In a second interview in September 2024, he admitted wrongdoing, claiming he wanted to delete the material but denied obtaining sexual gratification from it.
Judge Paul Thomas KC rejected this claim, stating: “I’m not going to accept for one moment that he gained no sexual gratification and did not masturbate to them.”
Jon Tarrant, defending, said Hughes had now accepted that he derived sexual gratification from the material. Tarrant also told the court that Hughes’ home had been targeted by members of the public following his arrest.
Hughes, previously of clean character, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.
Judge Thomas, addressing Hughes, said: “Anybody wanting to look at this content must be a very sick individual indeed.
“They represent real children somewhere in the world being sexually abused in the most horrific way so that people like you can masturbate to them.”
Hughes was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years.
In addition to the suspended sentence, he must complete 26 sessions of the Building Choices accredited programme, as well as an additional rehabilitation activity requirement.
The defendant must register as a sex offender for ten years, and was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order by order of the judge.
There were subsequent protests at Wentworth Close – residents there do not want Hughes living in their street.
Police removed Hughes from his mother’s property on December, 3 last year.
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