© Tom Blewitt & Zack Griffiths – HMP Prisons Justice Group
Serious concerns have been raised regarding the treatment of a vulnerable inmate following his transfer from HMP Swansea to HMP Parc, with both establishments failing in their duty of care.
The inmate, whose identity is being withheld out of respect, has been reliant on crutches for over a year due to a severe knee condition that requires a full knee reconstruction. Despite his documented medical needs, it is alleged that while at HMP Swansea he was placed on the “twos” and was given a top bunk, despite being physically unable to safely access it.
As a result, the inmate fell while attempting to get into the bed, causing further damage to an already serious knee injury. This incident has worsened his condition significantly.
The prisoner had been scheduled to undergo knee surgery on 15 January; however, HMP Swansea refused to facilitate his transfer to hospital for the operation, resulting in the procedure being missed.
Following his transfer to HMP Parc, further concerns have emerged. G4S officers have denied him access to healthcare, it is alleged that since arriving at the facility, the inmate has been denied access to a doctor despite presenting an official letter from his hospital consultant outlining the need for urgent care.
According to those raising the concerns, prison officers have refused to act on the consultant’s recommendations, with claims that G4S personnel have dismissed the medical evidence and declined to arrange appropriate treatment or review.
The inmate is currently housed on T4, where he is experiencing severe pain, sleep deprivation, and increasing distress. His situation has been described as a “living nightmare”.
In addition to his knee injury, the prisoner has developed bleeding blisters across his body due to an allergic reaction to the washing powder used at HMP Parc. Despite reportedly informing healthcare staff of the allergy, he has allegedly been told to “suck it up” rather than being provided with an alternative solution or medical assistance.
HMP Prisons Justice Group argue that these actions constitute multiple breaches of the inmate’s basic human rights, including access to healthcare and protection from inhumane or degrading treatment.
Calls are now being made for Will Styles and HMP Parc management to urgently intervene and ensure the inmate receives the specialist medical care he requires without further delay.
HMP Prisons Justice Group say the case highlights a wider issue around accountability and standards of care within the prison system, particularly where private healthcare providers are involved.
A spokesman for the group said:
“This lad has been failed at every level by a system that are legally required to protect him. Both HMP Parc and HMP Swansea have a clear duty of care to meet prisoners’ medical needs, and we believe that duty has been repeatedly and dangerously breached.
Denying urgent medical treatment is cruel enough, but ignoring known allergies crosses into reckless endangerment. Allergic reactions are not trivial — they can lead to open wounds, infection, severe pain, long-term damage and, in extreme cases, death.
To dismiss this suffering and tell a vulnerable prisoner to ‘suck it up’ while his skin is blistering and bleeding is dehumanising, negligent and utterly disgraceful. This is not care, this is neglect — and the consequences could be catastrophic.”
As pressure mounts, there are growing demands for transparency, immediate medical intervention, and a full investigation into how a prisoner with such serious and well-documented medical needs has been left to suffer for so long.
HMP Prisons Justice Group 