Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Parc Prison

Tuesday 14 May 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial priority is ensuring prisons are safe and secure.
  • Mental health provision in prisons is addressed in partnership with local health boards.
  • Lessons from improvements at Chelmsford Prison may benefit other prisons like Parc.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Justice & Courts Mental Health
Context

A recent urgent question raised concerns about the welfare and drug use issues in HMP Parc, with 9 deaths since March and over 1,600 incidents of self-harm reported. Parents are particularly concerned.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the welfare of prisoners at HMP Parc? Yesterday I raised concerns about drug use and self-harm incidents. Two months ago, G4S responded that there were 1,600 incidents of self-harm in a prison of 1,800 inmates.

Answer from Edward Argar

Ensuring our prisons are safe and secure is a top priority. We work closely with G4S to ensure prisoner welfare, and I visited HMP Parc last month. Mental health provision is vital and needs to be done in partnership with the local health board.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific mental health support commitments or timelines not provided

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Q2 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Justice & Courts Mental Health
Context

Parents of inmates have been asking for mental health support for years, and the prison reported over 1,600 self-harm incidents in a year.

Question

Does the Minister accept that parents have been asking particularly for mental health support for years and it has not been happening?

Answer from Edward Argar

The provision of mental health support is vital. We work closely with the local health board to address issues raised, including those mentioned by the hon. Lady.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitments or timeline for mental health support not provided

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Q3 Vicky Ford Con
Justice & Courts
Context

Chelmsford Prison faced special measures three years ago but has since improved significantly, becoming safer and more productive.

Question

The Minister will be aware of the dire situation at Chelmsford Prison three years ago. The latest inspection report praises improvements made there. Does he agree that lessons from Chelmsford can help other prisons like Parc?

Answer from Edward Argar

The work done at Chelmsford prison by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State, working with staff there, offers lessons that may benefit prisons such as Parc.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or timeline for applying Chelmsford's approach to other prisons not provided

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