Two inmates at the controversial Parc prison suffered overdoses after ingesting the super-strength synthetic opioid fentanyl, it is understood. They are the latest in a series of overdoses at the Bridgend jail, which this year has seen five potentially drug-related deaths. A source close to Parc told WalesOnline that two prisoners in the same wing overdosed on Saturday after taking spice — a Class B substance designed to mimic cannabis — which had reportedly been cut with fentanyl, an opioid around 50 times more potent than heroin.
A spokeswoman for G4S, the private security giant that runs the jail, said: “Prison custody officers at HMP Parc responded to two suspected drug-related incidents on August 24. We have a robust process for ensuring the welfare of prisoners if suspected to be under the influence of drugs.” It is understood neither prisoner was taken to hospital though at least one of them had oxygen treatment.
According to the National Crime Agency, fentanyl abuse in the UK became an issue in late 2016 and shortly afterwards was linked to a series of deaths in the north-east of England. It can be prescribed as an extremely strong painkiller, but when dealt illegally it is treated as a Class A substance. Fentanyl is more commonly abused in the US, where synthetic opioids are involved in nearly 70% of fatal overdoses.
In June, Parc’s director Heather Whitehead left by mutual agreement following rioting at the jail, sudden inmate deaths, and allegations of drug-dealing, violence and corruption. She was replaced by Will Styles. Since then, overdoses and incidents of violence at Parc have been less frequent. But last week we reported an inmate had been rushed to A&E after an attack in his cell.
In May the UK Government said four of the recent sudden deaths at Parc were believed to be drug-related and a further one was “potentially so”. Grieving families marched outside the prison in a demonstration calling for G4S to be stripped of its £400million contract. Earlier this year police arrested a Parc employee on suspicion of smuggling in contraband.
Speaking about Parc’s drug crisis earlier this year, a G4S spokeswoman said: “Frontline prison officers across the UK provide an essential public service often in very challenging environments. Our dedicated custody officers continue to care for prisoners in Parc to a high standard… We are actively tackling the multiple ways that drugs enter the prison from the wider community while continuously strengthening our security measures to protect prisoners from these dangerous substances.”
WalesOnline has asked the UK’s new Labour Government if it plans to retain the previous Government’s stance that prison staff will not be routinely searched for drugs. If you would like to speak to WalesOnline about an issue at Parc prison, email conor.gogarty@walesonline.co.uk