UK prisoners 'pose bare-chested for pictures online' as prison launches probe

An investigation has been launched at a UK prison over inmates allegedly possessing illicit mobile phones - and using them to snap bare-chested photos to share on social media.

Three prisoners at HMP Parc in Bridgend, Wales, seemingly posted images on Instagram, with snaps that suggest convicts are posing for photos together in the exercise yard.

The scandal erupts amidst a backdrop of turmoil for Parc, operated by security behemoth G4S, as it grapples with a series of inmate fatalities.

Prisons minister Edward Argar was recently grilled by MPs following an expose that disclosed the facility had experienced nine unexpected deaths within a span of less than three months.

The report also highlighted accusations of drug trafficking, corruption, violence, severe staff shortages, and inadequate mental health provisions.

Now, Instagram accounts understood to belong to inmates display photos of groups basking in the sunshine in an exercise yard - with one image bearing the caption: "Happy birthday to me."

Additional photos appear to depict prisoners in their cells, with one tagged: "T real killer.", reports Wales Online. One inmate has even selected a selfie taken in his cell as his Instagram profile picture.

Former inmates of Parc have previously blown the whistle on how easy it was to get their hands on contraband, with one ex-prisoner revealing he would hide phones and drugs inside his body to transport them around the facility. He admitted doing these risky jobs to support his heroin habit when cash was tight.

Just last month, a woman who worked at Parc made shocking allegations about the jail. She said: "The prison was ultimately run by the prisoners, with officers being paid to bring in contraband items."

She said that "The enhanced red band prisoners, who were able to roam, would then ferry these [contraband] items across the prison" and alleged that drug use often went "unnoticed or ignored".

Carrying a mobile phone in prison could land you up to two years behind bars, along with a potential fine, according to the Crown Prosecution Service. Their website clearly states: "Possession of a mobile phone in prison is a serious offence. Where there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, the public interest will normally require a prosecution."

A recent crackdown saw the arrest of a Parc staff member suspected of smuggling contraband into the jail. This 36-year-old man is now the fourth individual in two months to be nabbed for allegedly sneaking illicit items or narcotics into Parc, though the nature of the connection between the prison and the first three arrested remains unclear.

In a dramatic intervention in the Commons this month, Cynon Valley MP Beth Winter revisited the notorious 2019 episode when G4S lost its grip on HMP Birmingham. The appalling conditions at HMP Birmingham were described by the chief inspector of prisons as the most dire he'd ever seen, with inmates running riot with drugs and violence.

Ms Winter asked prisons minister Edward Argar: "Given the £400million cost of the contract for G4S to run [Parc], has he given consideration to the Prison Service stepping in to manage it, as it has done with Birmingham Prison?"

In response, Mr Argar highlighted that Parc prison had achieved 'good' and 'reasonably good' ratings in a recent inspection, insisting the facility is "safe" and the contract is performing satisfactorily, although he acknowledged the government has demanded G4S urgently improve security at Parc.

Mr Argar disclosed that out of nine sudden deaths at the prison, four are suspected to be drug-related, four are not, and one is "potentially so" - with two believed to have resulted from natural causes. He noted the use of X-ray scanners for prisoners and visitors, but dismissed the idea of scanning staff routinely.

"We have no current plans to routinely scan or take the powers to scan prison officers," said Mr Argar. "We do conduct random searches of bags or similar... I don't think it would be practical or appropriate to insist everyone coming to and from work gets scanned each day."

A G4S spokeswoman stated: "The safety of staff and prisoners is our priority and we have comprehensive strategies to root out all types of contraband. Any prisoner found with contraband is breaking the law which may result in criminal investigation and an extended period in custody.

"We have a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs and use a range of tactics to tackle the ingress of drugs and reduce demand. This includes robust security measures for staff, visitors and prisoners as well as substance misuse support to those in our care.

"The vast majority of our staff are hard-working and honest. As with every other prison in the country, we work closely with the police and the [prison service] counter-corruption team to crack down on the small number who may break the rules."