The G4S-managed prison in South Wales was awarded a “Level 4” rating – the highest possible – in an update to the Ministry of Justice’s Prison Rating Score (PRS) system. This indicates an exceptional performance based on a broad range of measures on public protection, reducing re-offending, decency and resource management and operational effectiveness.   

In a separate report from the prison’s Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), also published today, independent observers praised the prison for “outstanding achievements” including the way prisoners are trained to prepare them to meet demands of life outside.

Highlights of the annual IMB report include: 

1. The Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Justice Board (YJB) and the Head of the Youth Justice Board Cymru reported that their visit to the Young Persons’ Unit had been “one of the best” in their experience
2. The way that HMP and YOI Parc care for prisoners with complex health and mental problems and their families have received “should be complimented”
3. New partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support to support prisoners with cancer and their families and training for staff to identify the first signs of dementia in older prisoners

Janet Wallsgrove, Director of HMP and YOI Parc, said:

“This report and the Ministry of Justice score are testament to the hard work of my team at HMP and YOI Parc over many years to create a prison dedicated to returning prisoners to society as better citizens than when they came in.

“I lead a team of very passionate and motivated individuals who recognise that although these announcements are positive, they are not the end of the journey and the prison continues to change.  That’s why we have partnered with experts in dementia and cancer support to ensure that our staff have the right skills to cope with changing circumstances as the prison population ages across the country.

“HMP Parc is a local prison and although our first priority will always be public protection, we also have an important duty to rehabilitate prisoners so that they turn away from crime.  We will continue to work hard with local authorities, charities and health and social care agencies in South Wales to build the relationships which we firmly believe will make a positive difference to re-offending rates to the benefit of everyone in our community.”