Six inmates have died within the last three weeks at a scandal-hit jail as prison watchdogs launch a probe in the spate of deaths.
The probe into the deaths at HMP Parc, a category B prison in Bridgend, South Wales, is underway after prison staff were previously caught up in accusations of corruption, sexism and bullying. Inmates Jason Hussey and John Rose were reported to have died on February 27, and now it is understood four more prisoners have died since then at the 1,7000 capacity jail.
WalesOnlIne report that a spokesperson for operators G4S said: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the prisoners who have died recently at Parc. As with all deaths in custody, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”
A spokesperson for the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman says it is carrying out independent investigations into the deaths that have recently occurred at HMP Parc. They added: “We are unable to confirm the causes of death. This is for the coroner to determine. We will be announcing the names and dates of death of the deceased in the coming weeks. We are not in a position to confirm their names publicly until we are sure the next of kin has been notified.”
A South Wales Central coroner’s service spokesperson said: “As with all deaths in custody, an inquest is required and will be opened in the usual manner in open court in accordance with the Coroner’s and Justice Act 2009. The name and date of birth of the deceased and circumstances of death will be read into the public record during the opening of the inquest.”
In December last year custody officer Ruth Shmylo was cleared of having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate at the jail and during her trial made a series of allegations about other staff who were colluding with inmates to tamper with prisoner’s food. Shmylo told the jury that prisoners would order “a special” for an inmate they didn’t like – which would see corrupt officers spit or pour semen into their meals.
Claire Wilks, defending, said Shmylo should have been treated as a whistleblower but was instead “hung out to dry” by prison bosses and called “a grass” by her colleagues and assaulted. She had been accused of a fling with convicted gangster Harri Pullen but insisted she was terrified of him. A nurse at HMP Parc, Elise Hibbs, admitted having an inappropriate relationship with Pullen and was jailed for six months.
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