Tenth inmate dies at prison in three months

HMP Parc in Bridgend is run by Security company G4S

A tenth inmate has died at a prison in just over three months amid claims of drug misuse by prisoners.

Warren Manners, 38, is the latest to have died at HMP Parc in Bridgend, which is run by Security company G4S.

Nine other inmates have died since 27 February, including four believed to be drug-related, while one prison staff member has been arrested in connection with drug dealing there.

South Wales Police said the death was not believed to be suspicious and the coroner had been informed.

A spokesperson for the prison said Mr Manners' death would be investigated by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and that the coroner would establish the cause of his death.

Mr Manners died earlier on Wednesday, the spokesperson said, adding: "Our thoughts are with [Manners'] family and friends."

South Wales Police were called just after 12:20 BST following a report of a "sudden death of a 38-year-old man at HMP Parc".

"Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding the death, however at this time it is not believed to be suspicious," said police.

"HM Coroner has been informed. It will be for HM Coroner to give a determination on the cause of death."

Families of inmates who have died protested outside the jail on Monday, while two MPs called on the UK government to take charge of the prison.

Families of inmates who have died  protested outside the jail on Monday

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.

South Wales Police previously said a synthetic opioid called Nitazene had been identified in connection with four of the deaths.

The force said spice, another synthetic drug, had been identified in two of the four deaths.

In March, prisons and probation ombudsman, Adrian Usher, urged all prisoners in possession of spice to dispose of it.