Committee publication · Correspondence · 11 March 2026
Correspondence from G4S and HMP Parc to the Chair, relating to media reports on HMP Parc, dated 10 April 2025
From: Welsh Affairs Committee
Summary
G4S and HMP Parc respond to the Welsh Affairs Committee's letter of 3 April 2025 regarding media reports of unacceptable social media posts by staff members. The letter addresses an ongoing joint investigation with South Wales Police that began in September 2024, resulting in eight staff arrests. G4S states that three staff have been dismissed, two have resigned, and three remain subject to internal investigation. The organisation emphasises its commitment to accountability and describes multiple monitoring mechanisms applied to private prisons.
Key findings
- Eight HMP Parc staff members were arrested—four in September 2024 and four in January 2025—following an operation with South Wales Police. Six have faced no charges; investigations continue into two.
- G4S has dismissed three arrested staff, two have resigned, and three remain under internal investigation. All eight were immediately suspended following arrest.
- G4S acknowledges that language in published WhatsApp messages was 'utterly unacceptable' but notes police did not pursue charges of unlawful/excessive force or assault in the six concluded cases.
- A January 2025 HMIP inspection report is expected to recommend improvements to use-of-force governance, body-worn video cameras, incident reporting, and trend analysis data.
- G4S states private prison scrutiny 'exceeds that applying to publicly run prisons' through Independent Monitoring Board, HMPPS audits, HMIP inspections, and an onsite HMPPS Controller Team.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
G4S, HMP Parc, Welsh Affairs Committee, South Wales Police, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons, Will Styles, Gordon Brockington, Ian Barrow
Notable line
“We are utterly determined to root out wrongdoing and we hope that the information we have provided has been helpful in assuring you that we are committed to ensuring that anyone involved in this case is held to account.”
Key Quotes
“These messages, apparently sent between a small number of staff, are appalling and utterly unacceptable to the vast majority of employees at HMP Parc, to G4S, and of course the people of Wales.”
“We are appalled and deeply disappointed at the disrespectful language used about the prisoners in our care by this small group of individuals.”
“All eight members of staff were immediately suspended from all duties following their arrests and three of them have already been dismissed from our employment. Two others have resigned and the remaining three are subject to ongoing internal investigations.”
“… the Police have not pursued charges of unlawful / excessive force or assault in the six cases they have concluded to date.”
“The scrutiny and monitoring applied to private prisons is significant and exceeds that applying to publicly run prisons.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗