Prisoner flees guards during hospital visit
A PRISONER managed to escape from guards while undergoing treatment at hospital.
The prisoner had been escorted from Parc Prison to the Princess of Wales Hospital, in Bridgend, to receive treatment on Thursday, June 3, when he “ran away” from guards.
Officers from South Wales Police were called to the hospital to try to find the prisoner who was later discovered hiding within the hospital grounds.
A spokesman for the force said: “On Thursday, June 3, South Wales Police received a call for assistance from prison guards after a prisoner escaped from custody while receiving hospital treatment. Police officers found the prisoner shortly after hiding within the grounds of the hospital and returned him to Parc Prison.”
Parc Prison is a Category B men’s prison and young offenders’ institution and is privately operated by G4S. It accommodates 1,038 convicted male adult prisoners and remand/convicted young offenders and young people.
A G4S spokeswoman explained that the prisoner did not come into contact with any members of the public or hospital staff during the incident.
She said: “During a hospital visit a prisoner ran away from their escort.
“He was pursued and detained within minutes in the immediate vicinity of the hospital. He did not have any contact with hospital staff or members of the public.”
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board confirmed that prisoners from Parc Prison are always accompanied by security guards during visits to the hospital for emergency treatment.
A spokeswoman for the health board added: “As Parc Prison is in the Bridgend locality the hospital will receive patients who require emergency medical attention.
“Parc Prison security guards will always accompany the prisoner and stay with them throughout their stay.”