An inmate at HMP Parc in Bridgend was found dead with vomit on him, an inquest opening revealed. David Carl Ridgway, aged 51, passed away on October 7. Staff at Pontypridd Coroners’ Court shared that during a welfare check at 1:45 pm on October 7, Ridgway was found unresponsive on the toilet with vomit present. Despite attempts to revive him with CPR, he was declared dead at 2:39 pm. The cause of death remains undetermined pending further investigations.
The controversy surrounding HMP Parc has heightened as 16 prisoners have died since late February. The re-opening of an inquiry into Welsh jails, particularly focused on G4S’ management of Parc, has been announced. The prison has faced issues ranging from drug-related deaths to staff arrests on suspicion of assault. A significant rise in violence, especially at Parc, has also been documented in a recent report. Following these events, a Labour MP expressed concerns and pledged to investigate the situation further.
In response to the ongoing challenges, G4S highlighted the positive changes implemented at Parc over the past few months, particularly in staffing, safety, and drug control. The company expressed readiness to engage with stakeholders to showcase their progress. As the situation continues to develop, WalesOnline encourages readers to reach out with any related information or concerns.