Bridgend Council’s Cabinet is set to sign off on the council taking responsibility for the social care and support needs of inmates at Parc Prison (pdf).
There are already legal responsibilities on local authorities to meet certain care needs of prison inmates. At Parc Prison, this was outsourced to G4S Health Services with the council being billed quarterly.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board will take over health services at Parc Prison in December 2022. However, they’re not considered to be a registered domiciliary care provider so can’t provide personal care to prison inmates directly – such as those with dementia or other long-term chronic diseases.
With G4S Health Services pulling out, the council believe it would be difficult to commission an independent provider for care services to the prison as the security and vetting requirements are extensive.
The only practical option left was for Bridgend Council to take on the responsibility themselves, with G4S Health Services employees transferring across (subject to further negotiations).
The details still need to be finalised and the cost of providing services will vary from year to year so there’s no exact figure.
