Death-hit prison's excessive force messages probed

Parc Prison is the second largest in Wales, after HMP Berwyn in Wrexham

The prison with the most inmate deaths in Wales and England this year is being investigated over messages between staff about excessive use of force on prisoners.

In a letter to the Justice and Home Affairs Committee, Prisons Minister James Timpson said the prison service's corruption unit was looking at HMP Parc in Bridgend.

"HM Prison and Probation Service is working closely with South Wales Police following the discovery of messages on social media shared between staff relating to excessive use of force on prisoners and other serious allegations," he wrote.

Four prison custody officers were detained in September on suspicion of assault and misconduct in public office.

A HMP Parc spokesperson said: “The vast majority of our staff are hardworking and honest. We are absolutely committed to rooting out any wrongdoing.

“We take these allegations very seriously and are fully supporting the police with their investigation.”

Seventeen inmates are known to have died at Parc so far this year - more than at any other prison.

G4S confirmed this number. It is understood eight deaths were of natural causes.

Three prisoners were also taken to hospital following disorder at the prison in June.

At least four of the deaths are believed to be drug-related.

Lord Timpson said the security company G4S, which runs HMP Parc, was working with the police to suspend staff where necessary.

None of the allegations involve young offenders prison at Parc, he added.

He said the "vast majority" of staff were "hardworking and honest".

Families of inmates who died while in a prison protested outside the facility in May, saying they wanted answers from authorities following claims of drug misuse within the jail.

HMP Parc is one of the UK's largest category B prisons, holding convicted male adult and young offenders, as well as convicted sex offenders or those awaiting trial for sex offences.

G4S previously said it has a "zero-tolerance policy towards drugs".