Crime

Staff shortages still crippling Parc prison despite improvements, inspectors warn

Published

2 months ago

February 16, 2026

Regime restrictions leaving prisoners locked up for long periods despite progress tackling drugs

STAFF shortages at Parc Prison are continuing to severely restrict daily life for inmates despite improvements in tackling illegal drugs, according to inspectors.

A report published on Monday (Feb 16) by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons found that progress at the Bridgend jail was being significantly undermined by ongoing recruitment and retention problems, delays in vetting new staff, and the need to escort prisoners to outside hospital appointments.

Inspectors said these pressures meant many prisoners were spending long periods locked in their cells with limited access to education, work, or rehabilitation activities.

The findings come from a targeted independent review of progress carried out between January 5 and January 7, 2026, rather than a full inspection.

Staffing crisis restricting daily regime

Inspectors concluded that staffing shortages were the main factor preventing improvement across multiple areas of the prison.

The report found that regime restrictions had “severely hampered” progress, with prisoners often unable to access purposeful activity or support services needed to prepare for release.

Limited time out of cell is widely recognised as one of the key indicators of prison instability and poor outcomes.

Drug reduction efforts showing results

Despite the challenges, inspectors identified one significant area of progress.

Leaders and staff had made what the report described as “considerable effort” to reduce the supply of illicit drugs entering the prison.

Measures included:

Installation of secure windows
Increased use of technology
Targeted deployment of resources

These steps were credited with contributing to a decline in drug use among prisoners — a notable development given previous concerns about drug-related instability at the jail.

Concerns over rehabilitation and sentence progression

However, inspectors warned that prisoners were not receiving enough support to progress through their sentences.

Weaknesses in offender management meant some inmates were missing opportunities to complete programmes or move forward in their rehabilitation, potentially affecting their preparation for release.

Public protection weaknesses identified

The report also highlighted concerns around public protection processes, including aspects of risk management for certain offenders.

Such findings are considered particularly significant because they relate directly to the safety of the public after prisoners are released.

Partial recovery after troubled period

HMP Parc, a large Category C resettlement prison operated privately, has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years following a period of serious deterioration identified in earlier inspections.

The latest review suggests that while some improvements have been made — particularly in tackling drugs — fundamental operational pressures remain.

Inspectors made clear that without resolving staffing shortages and restoring a full daily regime, wider progress across the prison will remain limited.

G4S responds

A HMP Parc spokesperson said: “We are encouraged that this report highlights progress at the prison in many areas, particularly in our work to disrupt the supply of drugs.

“This is significant and will drive wider improvements throughout the prison, especially in reducing self-harm and violence.

“Staffing levels are continuing to rise, which will allow us to increase access to education, training, employment and rehabilitation activities.

“Resources are now in place to manage the increased volume of public protection monitoring work.”

Despite the strong criticisms of the jail, the prison management wanted to highlight the current positives from the report:

‘Leaders had put considerable efforts into reducing the ingress of illicit drugs; secure window installation was progressing well, and leaders were making good use of technology and resources. As a result, there had been a decline in drug use.’

‘In the last six months, 24% of random tests had been positive in the last 6 months, compared to 31% before the last inspection.’

‘Partnership working, both between providers and among departments, was working much more effectively to tackle the challenges that we had identified.’

‘Oversight within the safety function had improved. The safety team was now more established and had worked hard to embed basic processes and improve the collation of data.’

‘The introduction of bespoke peer support roles … was positive. These initiatives included training in supporting emotional regulation and conflict resolution. Peer supporters we spoke to were enthusiastic with a strong sense of purpose.’

‘Prisoners had benefited from the provision of in-cell tablet computers’

Crime

Six-year jail term a warning to drug dealers, says police

Published

23 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Detective says “robust approach” will continue as dealer caught after drugs hidden in car sale

A TOP detective has warned that a Milford Haven drug dealer’s six-year prison sentence should serve as a stark warning to others involved in the supply of illegal drugs.

Daniel Booth, aged 35, was jailed at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Mar 20) after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, as well as possession of cannabis.

The case came to light after a member of the public discovered drugs hidden inside a car they had purchased from Booth.

The buyer reported the find to police, triggering an investigation that led to Booth’s arrest on January 5.

Officers later uncovered further evidence linking him to the supply of Class A and Class B drugs.

Hidden drugs discovery

The discovery of drugs concealed within the vehicle proved to be a key breakthrough in the case.

Police said the incident highlighted both the risks to unsuspecting members of the public and the lengths some offenders will go to in order to conceal their activities.

Booth was subsequently charged and later admitted the offences in court.

‘Clear warning’ to others

Speaking after sentencing, DC Phillip Jones, of the Serious Organised Crime Unit in Pembrokeshire, said the case should send a strong message.

He said: “The supplying of drugs such as cannabis and cocaine in our communities has damaging consequences, and I hope that this result serves as a reminder of Dyfed-Powys Police’s commitment to remove them from our streets.

“Booth’s six-year sentence should serve as a warning to anyone involved in the supply of illegal drugs that we and our partners in the justice system will take a robust approach while bringing these types of offenders to justice.”

Ongoing crackdown

Dyfed-Powys Police say tackling drug supply remains a key priority across Pembrokeshire, with officers continuing to target those involved in organised criminal activity.

The force has urged members of the public to report any concerns about suspected drug dealing in their communities.

Crime

Driver spared jail after crash killed young couple

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKE DOCK driver who caused the deaths of a young couple in a road crash has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Alexander MacCallum, aged 28, of Llanreath, Pembroke Dock, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court to 16 months in prison, suspended for 12 months. He was also banned from driving for 18 months.

MacCallum had previously admitted two counts of causing death by careless driving when he appeared before the same court on 9 February.

The case related to a fatal two-vehicle collision on the A477 near Llanddowror at about 3:50pm on 13 June 2024.

The court heard that MacCallum was driving a Jaguar XKR when he lost control in wet conditions, crossed the carriageway and collided with a Ford Fiesta being driven by Adam Muskett, aged 27. His partner, Katie Worrell, aged 25, was a passenger in the car.

Mr Muskett died at the scene. Ms Worrell was taken to hospital with catastrophic injuries but died later the same day.

In a joint family statement, relatives of the couple said: “We would like to thank the emergency services who attended that fateful day and the people who stopped to help Katie and Adam. We are forever grateful to them.

“We recognise the sentence of the court, but there is no sentence that will ever bring our children and siblings back. We appreciate the work of Dyfed-Powys Police and the Crown Prosecution Service to secure a conviction.

“Adam and Katie’s deaths were unnecessary. Had the defendant not driven his car in the manner that he did, they would still be with us.

“We now wish for privacy after what has been a long and difficult journey to the conclusion of this prosecution.

“We urge everyone to consider the manner and speed in which they drive their vehicles.”

PC Lucy Brookes, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Following the tragic deaths of Adam and Katie, a full investigation into the collision was launched, and after consideration of the evidence it was deemed that MacCallum’s manner of driving was inappropriate for the very poor weather conditions.

“He was charged through a postal requisition in November 2025 and has now been sentenced.

“This has been a lengthy investigation into an incident which claimed the lives of two young people. While nothing can undo the loss of Adam and Katie, it is hoped that today’s sentence goes some way to providing justice for their loved ones, who have shown incredible strength throughout this process. Our thoughts very much remain with them.”

Crime

Driver denies dangerous driving charge over Carmarthenshire road incident

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

Court Reporter

A DRIVER has denied dangerous driving following a prosecution brought by Dyfed-Powys Police over an alleged manoeuvre on a major road through rural Wales.

Anthony Rees, 60, of Tabor Road, Maesycwmmer, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Apr 1) charged with dangerous driving and failing to comply with solid white line road markings.

The court heard the case relates to an incident on the A470 near Brecon on October 28, 2025, involving a Scania heavy tractor artic.

Prosecutors allege Rees began overtaking while on broken white lines, continued past warning signs for bends ahead, and then carried on overtaking around a right-hand bend, over solid white lines, before moving back onto his own side of the road shortly before a blind left-hand bend.

Rees pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Magistrates adjourned the matter for a further case management hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Apr 22).

A trial is due to take place at the same court on Monday (Apr 27).

One small point: if you want it strictly accurate, Brecon is in Powys, not Carmarthenshire. So I would not put Carmarthenshire in the headline unless you want a broader court-location angle such as: