Parc

Response
You raise serious concerns about the delays in Shared Services Connected Limited (SSCL) vetting and the impact this has had on HMP/YOI Parc’s staffing levels. I recognise how disruptive it is when trained officers cannot be deployed because their vetting clearance has not yet been completed. This has also affected the recruitment and deployment of staff across healthcare, education and catering, placing additional pressure on an already stretched regime. Security vetting is vital to maintaining the safety and integrity of our prisons. However, recruitment volumes across HMPPS and contracted providers have increased significantly and additional safeguarding checks have been introduced to strengthen national security standards. These necessary changes have lengthened vetting times. I understand the frustration this causes and I want to reassure you that action is being taken to improve the situation. Additional vetting staff have now been recruited, with the first new cohort becoming operational in December 2025 and further teams being added throughout the first half of 2026. As this expanded workforce reaches full capacity, vetting timescales will continue to improve. Flexible resourcing and overtime have also been deployed to reduce backlogs and local Vetting Contact Points have been strengthened to support the efficient processing of applications. I note the Director’s account of the specific challenges HMP/YOI Parc has faced, including the number of trained officers awaiting vetting clearance. I welcome the close collaboration between G4S and HMPPS to prioritise HMP/YOI Parc’s cases and ensure that newly trained staff can be deployed as quickly as possible. This partnership will remain in place until performance stabilises.

Response
HMPPS recognises the pressures on HMP/YOI Parc’s Offender Management Unit (OMU) during the reporting year. National population pressures, the activation of temporary additional capacity and early-release initiatives have contributed to unusually high caseloads. Engagement is underway between HMPPS and G4S to assess current staffing levels and understand the factors contributing to these pressures. This assessment will help determine whether resourcing adjustments are required. Work linked to the implementation of the Sentencing Act includes consideration of how OMUs can best support the future sentence structure. This will form part of the wider operational readiness programme being developed across HMPPS.

Response
Dental provision has been constrained by limited clinical space and a high volume of cancelled appointments. HMP/YOI Parc and NHS Wales colleagues are working together to improve attendance by strengthening communication with prisoners about appointments, improving scheduling so healthcare is prioritised appropriately and deploying peer workers to encourage attendance. Work is also underway to optimise use of the existing dental suite to increase clinical output. Healthcare partners continue to review service delivery to improve access to both urgent and routine dental care.

Response
Governance structures between G4S and the Health Board have been strengthened to improve oversight of A&E transfers and strengthen service resilience. Joint improvement plans are monitored regularly and further work is underway to negotiate reduced waiting times at local hospitals. Opportunities to bring more specialist clinical services into the prison, such as neurology and cardiology are being developed for 2026. The prison and healthcare partners are also exploring options for deploying paramedics on site to reduce the need for external A&E attendance and G4S has committed to increasing the number of officers available for hospital escorts.