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Parc prison inmates told to throw away drugs after jail deaths

BBC Parc Prison in BridgendBBC
Six deaths at Parc Prison in Bridgend within three weeks are likepy spice related, says the prison watchdog

Inmates at HMP Parc in Bridgend have been told to throw away their drugs by the prisons watchdog after six deaths in three weeks.

Police said four of the deaths were believed to be drug-related, while two were being treated as non-suspicious.

John Rose and Jason Hussey both died at the jail on 27 February, while Christopher Stokes died on 9 March.

The three other people who have died at the prison have not yet been named.

South Wales Police said Nitazene, a synthetic opioid drug, had been identified in connection with all four deaths.

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

Detective Steve Jones added: "Post-mortems have been completed on two of the four men and at this stage cause of death is inconclusive and we are awaiting toxicology.

"The other two men are awaiting a post-mortem."

Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Adrian Usher, who has launched an investigation into deaths, said all prisoners in possession of spice should "dispose of it immediately".

Spice
Spice is a psychoactive substance, designed to mimic the effects of cannabis, but can have severe debilitating effects

Mr Usher added: "This is a dangerous drug and we do not want to see any more unnecessary deaths occur."

Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at Howard League for Penal Reform, said the level of deaths were "concerning."

"Parc Prison should be holding around 1,500 people, but in fact the prison is holding 1,800 people," he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"That sort of pressure means prisoners aren't able to get out of their cells as much as they should."

Mr Neilson said that an inspection of the prison in 2022 raised concerns about drugs getting into the prison and fuelling a culture of violence.

"I fear that these tragic deaths would suggest that things are getting worse," he added.

On Wednesday, an HMP Parc spokesperson 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."

The category B local prison opened in 1997 and holds convicted male adult and young offenders and convicted and remand sex offenders.

In 2022, prison nurse Elyse Hibbs, from Manchester, was jailed after having an inappropriate relationship with the prisoner while working at HMP Parc.

At the time of a 2019 inspection it held 1,612 prisoners, making it one of the largest prisons in the UK.