G4S wins ten-year contract to continue operating HMP and YOI Parc

HMP Parc is one of the largest prisons in the UK incorporating a separate YOI. G4S has managed the establishment for 25 years since it opened back in 1997.

Across the years, HMP and YOI Parc has won multiple awards and international recognition for innovative programmes that have led to improved outcomes for prisoners. This includes Invisible Walls Wales, which encourages prisoners and their families to build stronger ties to help break the cycle of reoffending and to reduce intergenerational offending.

Janet Wallsgrove OBE, director of HMP and YOI Parc since 2005, said: “We are delighted to have won this new contract which will enable us to deliver high quality and innovative services to prisoners. Our primary role is to support public protection by preparing prisoners for release and equipping them with the necessary skills to assist them in securing employment and training on release.” 

Wallsgrove added: “I also want to pay tribute to our outstanding members of staff. Working in prisons is a challenging and demanding job and they demonstrate incredible dedication and professionalism every day.”

HMP and YOI Parc offers a range of vocational and educational opportunities, from vocational workshops in bricklaying and carpentry through to Open University degrees, and also helps prisoners to find employment on release.

In January this year, HMP Parc secured Advanced Autism Accreditation from the National Autism Society. It’s the only UK prison to have achieved this.

Rehabilitation and resettlement

Gordon Brockington, managing director of G4S Care and Rehabilitation Services, explained: “I’m so proud that G4S has won this bid and will continue to deliver services at HMP and YOI Parc. Despite the size and complexity of the site, the staff do a fantastic job with rehabilitation and resettlement at the centre of everything that they do.”

HMP Parc received an impressive inspection report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) in March 2020 and was found to be “fulfilling its core purposes and performing well”. In the wake of the inspection process, particular praise was afforded to the quality of the relationships between staff and prisoners. 

Under HMIP’s ‘healthy prison assessment’, HMP Parc achieved the highest rating possible (ie 4) for purposeful activity and rehabilitation and release respectively. The inspection report also singled out the Cynnwys Unit, a specialist wing for prisoners with learning difficulties who require assisted living, stating that it “provides an excellent level of care and support”.

New managing director

In parallel, G4S Secure Solutions UK recently announced the appointment of Tim Kendall – formerly the senior vice-president of enterprise accounts at Allied Universal North America – as the new managing director of the business.

Fiona Walters, regional CEO for the UK and Ireland at Allied Universal (International) said: “Tim has had a long and successful career with G4S since joining the company in 1999. He will bring a high degree of focus on operational efficiency and customer service, while also ensuring that our ambitious growth goals are met.”

Prior to his previous role at Allied Universal, Kendall served as chief operating officer for the Africa Region, where he was responsible for driving operational efficiency, effectiveness and compliance across what is undoubtedly a highly complex and diverse region.  

Having relocated back to the US, Kendall then worked with G4S’ most strategic US-based global and national customers. He was also the president of G4S’ Regulated Security Services in North America, providing specialist services to the US commercial nuclear sector.

Kendall began his new role at G4S Secure Solutions UK on Wednesday 1 June.