In the most recent year, the average prison population has been 1,786, with 40% of prisoners being kept in what’s classed as crowded accommodation, according to HM Prison and Probation Service figures.
HMP Parc did not address the expansion issue, but said: “Parc’s latest inspection report [published in February 2026, external HMP Parc – HM Inspectorate of Prisons] highlights that progress has been made in many areas, particularly in disrupting the supply of drugs.”
“This is significant and is helping to drive wider improvements throughout the prison, especially in reducing self-harm and violence,” it added.
The MoJ said: “We’re taking decisive action to address the prison crisis inherited by this Government – building 14,000 extra prison places by 2031 and reforming sentencing to ensure we can always lock up dangerous criminals”.