Parc

Response
I have read your report with care and appreciate the Board’s continued concerns about prisoners subject to Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences, particularly the uncertainty around their release date and the associated impact. Currently there are approximately 70 IPP prisoners s at HMP/YOI Parc. All IPP panels are attended by a Governor grade at HMP/YOI Parc to ensure progress is well understood and barriers that require prison intervention/support can be supported at a strategic level. As the board will be aware, HMP/YOI Parc has a psychology contract with Forensic Psychology Consultancy (FPC) Ltd, which includes the requirement for FPC to provide some case management support for IPP prisoners. Their contract also includes psychological therapy to reduce reoffending which is delivered on a one-to-one basis, and this has been targeted towards IPP prisoners in some instances to support their progression. Furthermore, Wales Restorative Approaches Partnership (WRAP) are currently halfway through a two-year project aimed at supporting IPPs in custody. This includes specifically working in HMP/YOI Parc given the IPP population. HMP/YOI Parc is also working with the Prison Reform Trust and their Building Futures Programme which works with prisoners serving over ten years to identify improvements to the prison system for this cohort. As mentioned in my previous letter, the Government is determined to support the rehabilitation of IPP prisoners through a refreshed Action Plan, published on 15 November 2024 in our IPP Annual Report, and available online at Gov.UK. As of 31 March 2025, there were a total of 2,544 IPP prisoners in custody, of which 1,012 have never been released and 1,532 were recalled.

Response
The Board’s concerns about the handling of prisoners’ property are noted and this is an area to which HMPPS is currently giving further attention. A common area for problems is when excess prisoner property is forwarded on when a prisoner transfers. When Prisoner Escort Custody Service (PECS) suppliers transfer property within the volumetric control limits of the Prisoners Property Framework there are few complaints for lost property overall. It is therefore key that prisoners comply with volumetric control limits, since anything within those limits will transfer with them. Since the reporting period covered by the report, there have been updates made to the policy ensuring HMP/YOI Parc is aligned with the Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework. Given that property is one of the main topics of complaints by prisoners at HMP/YOI Parc, regular meetings take place involving the Senior Leadership Team at the prison and relevant parties to ensure the appropriate action is taken to rectify any issues that arise.

Response
Both public and private prisons adhere to the Prison Service Instruction 44/2010 on catering for prisoners' nutritional needs.

Response
At HMP/YOI Parc, meals align with this policy and the national catering budget. Feedback from the prisoner council has led to reviews of menus, quality, and portion sizes. Kitchen equipment issues have been addressed, improving meal quality and delivery. Initiatives like international theme meal nights and freezers for chilled desserts have been introduced, while efforts to reduce food waste aim to reinvest savings into menus.