Parc prison inmate not checked before cell death, says sister

An inmate with a history of self-harm was not properly monitored before he was found dead in his cell, his sister has claimed.

Justin Lewis, 29, who had “seriously” self-harmed before his death, died at Bridgend’s HMP Parc in March.

His sister Naomi Lewis, 31, said he had been at high-risk of self-harm and should have been monitored hourly but that he was left alone for hours before he died.

HMP Parc said Mr Lewis’ death was being investigated by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.

Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board, which is responsible for healthcare at the prison, urged Mr Lewis’ family to contact them if they had questions about his care.

He is one of nine inmates to die at the privately run Bridgend prison in just over 10 weeks. Four of the deaths are believed to be drug related.