Disturbing leaked text messages allegedly sent by officers at a prison in Wales showed them seemingly laughing at inmates hurt behind bars, saying they “need to be broken”.
The message exchanges reportedly made by those working at the privately run HMP Parc in Bridgend, around 30 miles from Cardiff, appear to show them also making fun of self-harm incidents and gloating about inmates being beaten. The shocking leaked texts and messages, which were also sent on social media, allegedly show a number of exchanges between officers and ex-colleagues, WalesOnline reported. One of the messages, sent after a complaint, read: “The prisoners need to be broken mentally and physically.”
One message says: “I punched f*** into him after he bit me…he threw his food tray in [person’s] face so I dropped him.” Another message appears to suggest prison officers were intent on goading inmates into physical altercations with staff.
One person wrote: “Let’s push him to go tomorrow so we can drop him.” Another message responded: “Big time, f*** him off.”
Further messages make light of suicide risks at the prison. One message read: “He’ll tie a bag around his neck.” Another responds: “Too much paperwork.” Another adds: “Don’t have to do paperwork if you pretend not to see it.”
It was previously reported four Parc officers were arrested last September on suspicion of assault and misconduct in public office in connection to “the discovery of messages on social media shared between staff relating to excessive use of force on prisoners and other serious allegations”. Those four officers have been released without charge. Officers added “an additional arrest phase” in the case took place in January.
In the second phase the officers arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office are a 35-year-old man from Bridgend, a 40-year-old man from Swansea, a 38-year-old man from Barry , a 50-year-old man from Taibach, and a 23-year-old woman from Cardiff – all of whom have been bailed for further inquiries – and a 36-year-old man from Llanelli who has been released under investigation. Prisons minister Lord James Timpson previously confirmed the anti-corruption unit of the Prison and Probation Service had been working with police in the investigation.
South Wales Police detective chief inspector Dean Taylor said: “The investigation remains ongoing and officers are continuing to work closely with G4S.”
A G4S spokesman said: “Of the four individuals who were arrested and released without charge by South Wales Police three have been dismissed from the company and one remains suspended from duty pending the outcome of a disciplinary process.
“The vast majority of our staff are hardworking and honest. We are absolutely committed to rooting out any wrongdoing.”
In response to the messages G4S added: “Our staff are expected to treat everyone with dignity and respect and we have a zero-tolerance approach to dealing with any staff behaviour that falls short of our standards.”
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