HM Prison Parc
HM Prison Parc (Welsh: Carchar Parc EF) is a Category B men's private prison and Young Offenders Institution in Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales. Parc Prison is operated by G4S, and is the only privately operated prison in Wales.
 | |
| Location | Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°31′51″N 3°33′39″W |
| Status | Operational |
| Security class | Category B Adult Males/Young Offenders/Juveniles |
| Capacity | 1652 (June 2016) |
| Opened | 1997 |
| Managed by | G4S |
| Director | Janet Wallsgrove |
History
The site was previously occupied by Parc Hospital, a psychiatric hospital.[1] Parc Prison was developed via a Private Finance Initiative contract in January 1996.[2] The new prison, which was built by Costain Group at a cost of £82 million, opened in November 1997.[3]
However, from its opening, Parc Prison was beset with problems. Failures in the prison security technology, anti-English racism from Welsh inmates, and a high number of suicides were all highlighted as concerns by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons in a 1999 report.[4] However, in March 2001, a new report from the Chief Inspector noted a major improvement in standards.[5]
In August 2004, the Independent Monitoring Board issued a report stating that Parc Prison had been rated as the worst-performing privately run prison in Wales and England (of the then ten in existence). The report criticised the lack of separate healthcare facilities for juveniles at the prison, the inadequate level of dental provision for all prisoners, and issues of staff morale.[6]
In January 2013, the Ministry of Justice announced that an additional houseblock would be constructed at Parc Prison, increasing the overall capacity of the facility.[7]
Current state
Parc Prison holds Remand and Sentenced Category B Adult males, juveniles and young offenders. All cells in the prison are equipped with in-cell sanitation, natural and forced ventilation, and in-cell electrics. The prison states that all wings are equipped with hot-water boilers, PIN telephones, pool and table tennis tables, showers, laundry facilities, and association areas.
Education at Parc Prison is provided by an in-house education department. A range of subjects are offered including English, maths, information technology, art, music, hospitality and languages, plus a range of vocational qualifications. Qualifications up to and including Open University courses are available. The prison's industries complex comprises nine workshops including carpentry, metalwork, graphic design and print, and industrial cleaning. All other workshops are dedicated to manufacturing contracts with local companies.
Other facilities at the prison include a library, gym, fitness room, and a multi-faith chaplaincy. The prison's visits hall has a canteen and crèche.
Parc has ten different wings consisting of eight main wings and two YPU wings. Prisoner accommodation is made up of a mix of single cells and double cells.
References
- "Parc Hospital". County Asylums. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- "The PFI Contracts for Bridgend and Fazakerley Prisons" (PDF). National Audit Office. 31 October 1997. p. 66. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- "Remand prisoner freed by mistake". BBC. 19 July 2006. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- "Control is 'fragile' at high-tech prison". bbc.co.uk. 14 October 1999. Retrieved 30 December 2008.
- "Prison responds to critics". bbc.co.uk. 20 March 2001. Retrieved 30 December 2008.
- "Private jail 'worst' says report". bbc.co.uk. 10 August 2004. Retrieved 30 December 2008.
- Danny Shaw (10 January 2013). "BBC News - Seven prison closures in England announced". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
- "Prison, football, family, the Samaritans and me: Mark Aizlewood on life after jail". Wales Online. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
