The facility houses many prisoners from Pembrokeshire, and is the largest jail in Wales

A SERIES of leaked messages obtained by The Herald have revealed a toxic culture among some staff at HMP Parc, with officers joking about violence, mocking self-harm, and admitting to skipping duties — as multiple investigations into serious misconduct continue at the privately-run Bridgend prison.

The leaked text and social media messages, exchanged between officers and ex-colleagues, include disturbing references to physical assaults on inmates, deliberate provocation of prisoners, and a callous disregard for vulnerable individuals.

In one message, an officer boasts: “I punched f*** into him after he bit me… he threw his food tray in Leah’s face so I dropped him.”

Other exchanges appear to show staff encouraging each other to push inmates into confrontation. One officer writes: “Let’s push him to go tomorrow so we can drop him,” followed by: “Big time, f*** him off.”

In another, officers make light of suicide risks. One message reads: “He’ll tie a bag around his neck,” with a response: “Too much paperwork.” Another adds: “Don’t have to do paperwork if you pretend not to see it.”

The language throughout is crude, dehumanising, and laced with jokes about violence. In one thread, staff describe an inmate with serious mental health issues as “crackhead Jesus,” and another talks about a prisoner who had slit his wrists, calling him a “daft c***” and suggesting he should be “in a lonnie bin.”

The leaks come as it is confirmed that a total of ten officers at HMP Parc have now been arrested since September 2024 as part of a major police swoop on the prison.

In a statement to The Herald, South Wales Police confirmed:

“South Wales Police arrested four people on Friday September 20, 2024, on suspicion of assault and misconduct in public office following reports of a series of incidents at HMP Parc.
All four have been released without charge following their arrests in September.”

“An additional arrest phase took place in January 2025.
Those arrested during the second phase are 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; and a 23-year-old woman from Cardiff — all of whom have been bailed for further enquiries until the end of April 2025.
A 36-year-old man from Llanelli has been released under investigation.”

Detective Chief Inspector Dean Taylor said: “The investigation remains ongoing, and officers are continuing to work closely with G4S.”

G4S, which runs HMP Parc, issued the following statement: “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.”

This week, The Herald also revealed police are separately investigating the alleged sexual assault of a young inmate on X1 Wing, who was reportedly coerced and scalded. Advocacy groups have described the incident as a “catastrophic failure” of the prison’s safeguarding procedures.

HMP Parc has also recorded at least eight inmate deaths in the past 12 months, with several suspected to be linked to drugs or suicide. Campaigners say the leaked messages now confirm the culture of neglect and violence that whistleblowers have warned about for years.

“This is more than misconduct — it’s cruelty, covered up and normalised,” said a campaigner for prisoner rights. “The public deserves answers, and the victims deserve justice.”

The Ministry of Justice’s anti-corruption unit is supporting the ongoing police investigation.

Parc, the largest prison in Wales, is one of the few in the UK operated by a private firm. It has faced growing calls for an independent inquiry into its operation, following riots, staffing failures, and the replacement of its director last year.

A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of harassment after being recovered from the coast at Gelliswick Bay by police and coastguard teams.

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 4:20pm on Saturday (Mar 29) following concerns for the welfare of a man near the water.

Angle lifeboat was launched shortly after 4:25pm to assist with the police-led incident, alongside coastguard rescue teams from Dale and Broad Haven.

The all-weather lifeboat deployed its small Y-boat, which made its way inshore to support the operation.

The man, aged 41, was safely brought to shore and later arrested on suspicion of harassment. He has since been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police told The Herald: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a call concerned for the welfare of an individual at Gelliswick Bay at around 4:20pm on Saturday, March 29.

“The individual was brought to safety with the assistance of the coastguard. The 41-year-old man was then arrested on suspicion of harassment and has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.”

Talks underway for rocket factory at former Black Bridge armament depot

SPACE-X, the aerospace company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, is in early talks to establish a major UK base at the former Black Bridge site in Milford Haven, The Herald can reveal.

The disused site—once an armament depot and now within the Celtic Freeport zone—is being considered for a rocket manufacturing and research facility, in what could be one of the biggest investments in West Wales in decades.

Speaking to The Herald via a spokesperson, Mr Musk said: “We’re seriously looking at the Black Bridge site in Milford Haven. It has the right mix of industrial infrastructure, port access, and renewable energy potential. It’s a strong contender for our next-generation SpaceX facility in Europe.”

The location, nestled along the Milford Haven Waterway, already benefits from a deep-water harbour, its own pier, underground tunnels suitable for fuel storage, and proximity to both the Dragon LNG jetty and National Grid connection points. It also lies just 20 minutes by car from the new UK Space Command base being developed at Brawdy.

While no official confirmation has been made, The Herald understands that a delegation of engineers and logistics experts from SpaceX visited the site in early March.

A source close to the project said: “This isn’t just a stunt. The site ticks a lot of boxes, and the Freeport status makes it very attractive. The UK government is aware of the interest.”

However, the project may come with strings attached. Mr Musk hinted that broader cooperation with the UK government—particularly regarding the import of Tesla Semi trucks—could influence the pace and scale of any investment.

“If Tesla Semi trucks could enter the UK market without punitive tariffs, that would help align our supply chains and accelerate sustainable logistics deployment,” he said, adding: “We’re open to sharing our technology and innovation as part of that conversation. It’s a win-win.”

Pembrokeshire County Council said the Local Authority would welcome the investment: “If Mr Musk wants to put a rocket factory here, we’ll find room for him. We’ve got the docks, we’ve got the people, and we’ve got the ambition,” an official spokesperson said.

The local community has already begun speculating about the possible transformation of the area, with suggestions that the disused railway line—currently blocked by a Costa Coffee car park—could be reinstated using a dual road-rail system, allowing trains to pass through on a timed basis.

Welsh Government sources have not confirmed any formal approach, but a spokesperson said: “We welcome all interest in investing in Wales’ space and technology sectors and will continue to support high-quality proposals through our partnership with the UK Space Agency.”

If approved, the facility could bring hundreds of high-skilled jobs to Pembrokeshire, revitalising an area historically reliant on energy and port industries. Given the site’s Freeport designation, SpaceX could benefit from generous tax incentives and streamlined planning permissions.

The timing of the news—just a day before April 1—may raise eyebrows. But insiders insist the proposal is genuine, albeit in early stages.

As one source put it: “It sounds like science fiction—but then again, that’s what people said about reusable rockets.”