HMP Parc will not be nationalised, says minister

The prison has said that the vast majority of its staff are honest

The UK government has rejected calls to take over the running of HMP Parc in south Wales from private firm G4S.

Nine inmates have died in two months at the Bridgend prison, including four linked to substance misuse.

UK Prisons Minister Edward Argar told MPs on the Commons Welsh Affairs Committee that the facility is "well-run".

Meanwhile a minister for the Welsh government, which is responsible for prison healthcare, said both governments, at either end of the M4, will have lessons to learn from investigations into the deaths.

Earlier this week the Commons heard claims that staff had smuggled drugs into the prison.

The prison has said that the vast majority of its staff are honest.

On Wednesday Labour MP for Cynon Valley, Beth Winter, said MPs had been told of a "crisis" in the prison in terms of staffing and management.

She said there were "systemic issues" and G4S had a "track record" of "failings".

Ms Winter asked the minister if he would consider reviewing the decision to award the contract for Parc to G4S, or take the prison back into UK government operation as had been done in Birmingham.

In response, Mr Argar said: "No, we have no intention or plan to take the contract back, we consider that Parc is recognising the challenges here."

However, he acknowledged there were some challenges around security and recruiting experienced staff members.

The minister said the prison is accountable to the inspector like any other prison.

There were a range of actions that could be taken if the UK government's assessment of the situation at Parc changes, but that was not deemed necessary at the moment, he said.

He explained that could include putting in a public sector governor, or "to go further".

The minister was giving evidence to the committee as part of an inquiry by MPs into prisons in Wales.

Senedd

Meanwhile politicians in Cardiff Bay expressed their condolences and concerns at the deaths.

Answering a topical question raised by Plaid Cymru MS Luke Fletcher, Social Justice Secretary Lesley Griffiths said both the Welsh and UK governments will need to learn from ongoing inquiries by the prisons ombudsman and the coroner.

She said she was in touch with Mr Argar over the issue.

Ms Griffiths said Welsh government officials are "working very closely together, along with other partners... in ensuring that the staff at the prison are able to access the healthcare for the prisoners that is required".

Bridgend Labour MS Sarah Murphy said things were "very difficult" for those working at Parc. "There is a lot of speculation, accusations and abuse of those prison staff online," she said.