Prisoner dies at Welsh jail

HMP Cardiff general view
-Credit: (Image: Matthew Horwood)


A man has died while serving as an inmate at HMP Cardiff, it has been confirmed. Matthew Coles, 41, died at the Category B jail on Tuesday, September 24.

Mr Coles' cause of death has not been confirmed, neither has the offence for which he was serving time. The death was confirmed by the Prison Service who say as with all deaths in custody, the the Prison and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.

South Wales Police have also been asked to comment on the death. HM Prison Cardiff is a category B men's prison operated by His Majesty's Prison Service. Around 800 prisoners are at Cardiff Prison across six units with a mixture of single and shared cells.

Confirming the death, a Prison Service spokesperson said: “Matthew Coles passed away at HMP Cardiff on Tuesday, September 24th. Our thoughts remain with his friends and family. As with all deaths in custody, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”

South Wales Police said officers attended a report of a sudden death which was reported at HMP Cardiff at around 11.15pm on Tuesday after a 41-year-old man was discovered dead in his cell.

A spokesperson said: "The death is not being treated as suspicious."

A file of evidence is being prepared for HM Coroner. Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news