Two HMP Parc inmates die within minutes as murderer and teenager latest to die at troubled prison

Two inmates of a troubled prison have died within minutes of one another at the same jail in unrelated circumstances. The deaths of teenager Michael Horton and murderer David Maggs on Tuesday, May 7, are the eighth and ninth deaths of prisoners held at HMP Parc in a little over two months.

A spokesman for the Bridgend-based prison, run by private firm G4S, said: “Mr David Maggs, aged 73, passed away on Tuesday, May 7. His next of kin has been informed and our thoughts are with his family and friends.

“Mr Michael Horton, aged 19, passed away on Tuesday, May 7. His next of kin has been informed and our thoughts are with his loved ones.

“Their deaths were unrelated. Family liaison officers are supporting the families. As with all deaths in custody these will be investigated by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.”

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Former accountant Mr Maggs was convicted of the murder of his wife Linda Maggs whom he stabbed to death at their home in Pontypool in February 2021. She was 74. You can read more about the case here.

A police spokesman said: “South Wales Police was called between 12.20am and 12.55am on Tuesday, May 7, with reports of two sudden deaths at HMP Parc of a 73-year-old man and a 19-year-old man. Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding the deaths however at this time they are not believed to be suspicious. It will be for HM Coroner to give a determination on the cause of death.”

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called to two separate incidents at HMP Parc, Bridgend. “The first call was received at 11.17pm on May 6. We sent one Cymru High Acuity Response Unit and one emergency ambulance to the scene.

“The second call was received at 12.37am on May 7. We sent an additional Cymru High Acuity Response Unit and emergency ambulance to the scene.”

The two deaths come just days after the death of 47-year-old Wayne Hay at HMP Parc. Prior to his death six inmates had died within a space of little more than three weeks earlier this year.

South Wales Police said it was treating two of the six Parc inmate deaths between February 27 and March 19 as non-suspicious but believed the other four to be drug-related. Detective Steve Jones said in March that "a fast-track process has been undertaken and identified the presence of nitazene-based substances in connection with all four deaths". The psychoactive substance spice was identified in connection with two of the four deaths.

We recently revealed allegations from former Parc prisoners and staff of severe violence, drug dealing, and corruption in the jail. You can read more about the crisis at Parc here.

If you would like to speak to WalesOnline about an issue at Parc prison email us at conor.gogarty@walesonline.co.uk.