HMP/YOI Parc - a well run and innovative prison

HMP Parc served prisoners and the public well, said Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons, publishing the report of an unannounced inspection of the local prison in South Wales.

HMP Parc is one of the largest prisons in England and Wales and at the time of inspection it held 1,326 prisoners, as well as 57 children and young people in a distinct unit. It was operating at 13% above its certified normal capacity. The government has recently announced plans to add another 387 places. Inspectors found it to be one of the better local prisons which delivered good or reasonably good outcomes in every area.

Inspectors were pleased to find that:

  • most prisoners said they felt safe at the prison
  • levels of violence were low, having halved since Parc’s last inspection, and the use of force had also fallen sharply
  • care for prisoners at risk of suicide and self-harm had also improved and those most at risk received excellent care in the safer custody unit, with high levels of health care input
  • the segregation unit was a good facility with a strong emphasis on reintegrating men back into normal location
  • the environment was very good, although many prisoners shared cells designed for one and some showers offered little privacy
  • there were good interactions between prisoners and staff
  • identification and support for prisoners with learning difficulties and brain injuries was better than inspectors normally see
  • there was very good care for prisoners with palliative and end-of-life care needs
  • most prisoners had effective support with their practical resettlement needs and the Welsh Assembly Government’s approach meant prisoners released to live in Wales were guaranteed accommodation unless they had made themselves intentionally homeless
  • the prison’s work to help prisoners develop and sustain constructive relationships with their families and to work with the families themselves was outstanding.

Inspectors were concerned to find that:

  • young adults were over-represented in violent incidents and the prison had not given enough thought to how the behaviour and progress of younger prisoners with less maturity could best be managed
  • prisoners lacked confidence in the complaint system
  • offender supervisors were stretched and not helped by the fact that many prisoners were transferred to Parc without an up-to-date assessment of their risks and needs
  • there were far too few sex offender treatment programme places available for the sex offender population (of around 280).

Nick Hardwick said:”No one should underestimate the difficulties of running a large prison; other large prisons have not been so successful. The success of HMP Parc will not be easy to emulate and it is important to ensure Parc’s own future expansion does not place its current success at risk. Critical to that success has been a stable, effective and very visible leadership team. Staff at all levels, within proper limits, have been encouraged to innovate, and this has meant that the challenges of a large establishment have become advantages and allowed specialist resources to be developed that meet specific needs. There are areas that need improvement but overall this was a very positive inspection.”

Michael Spurr, Chief Executive Officer of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), said:

“This is an excellent report, which highlights the ongoing hard work at Parc to provide a safe and purposeful environment with positive outcomes for the prisoners it holds.

“I am pleased that the Chief Inspector has recognised that standards remain high across the board and that staff are working innovatively to drive forward improvements despite the challenges inherent in running a prison of this size with a complex population.

“The Director and her staff will use the report’s findings to build on the progress that has already made.”

Notes to editors

  1. Read the report
  2. HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate, inspecting places of detention to report on conditions and treatment, and promote positive outcomes for those detained and the public.
  3. This unannounced inspection was carried out from 9-19 July 2013.
  4. HMP/YOI Parc is a category B local prison housing convicted male adult and young adult prisoners, convicted and remand sex offenders and young people. It is run by G4S Care and Justice Ltd.
  5. The Young People’s Unit at HMP/YOI Parc is inspected separately. Its last inspection report was published in December 2012. (406 kB)
  6. Please contact Jane Parsons at HMI Prisons on 020 3681 2775 or Barbara Buchanan on 020 3681 2772 if you would like more information or to request an interview.