More than half of prisoners at the troubled Parc Prison told inspectors it was easy to access drugs, while just over a third at two of the main wings said they had developed a drug or alcohol problem since arriving at the jail.
That's according to the findings of an inspection in January, which revealed that almost 900 drugs finds were made in the year before the Bridgend prison was inspected.
The prison has come under increased scrutiny in recent years, with 17 inmates having died at HMP Parc in 2024 – more than at any other prison that year.
The inspection found that levels of violence remained high, which prisoners attributed to "frustration with a lack of consistency in the daily regime, boredom, long periods locked up, the widespread availability of drugs and not having enough to eat".
The report also found that levels of self-harm remained high and had increased by 58% since the last inspection.
However, it noted that since the arrival of a new director in June 2024, the recruitment, retention and morale of officers had improved, and while "far too many drugs were still getting into the prison", "it was clear that Parc had begun to recover".
G4S, which runs Parc, said it is "working tirelessly on a comprehensive improvement plan to once again deliver excellent services at HMP Parc".
The HM Inspectorate of Prisons report said the transition to a new management contract at the prison was at the root of many of its problems, at a time when its former director had left along with other senior leaders. The report said: "This had fundamentally destabilised the prison and left it unable to grip the problems it faced."
The report said: "The new director arrived in June 2024 and since then had set about resetting the jail. He had stabilised the leadership team, and improved the recruitment, retention and morale of officers. At the time of our inspection, there had been no more drug-related or self-inflicted deaths since his arrival.
"He and his team were in no doubt about the challenges that they faced. The prison had become far too violent; levels of self-harm (already too high at our last inspection) had increased by 60%. Despite the impressive commitment of the security team, which had made nearly 900 drugs finds in the last year, there were far too many drugs getting into the jail."
Chief Inspector Charlie Taylor, of HM Inspectorate of Prisons, said: “The staff team, which was used to being proud of the place at which they worked, had been through a very difficult time, but there were signs that things were beginning to turn around. "Partnership working between prison leaders and the new education provider had begun to improve, as had the regime and practical release planning arrangements.
“Inspectors left the jail with some assurance that Parc had begun to recover, morale was better, and pride was beginning to return.
"Practically, if G4S and the prison service are able to expedite the replacement of windows which are vulnerable to drone deliveries and to provide enhanced gate security, that will help to reduce supply of drugs. If the current director remains in place and he receives the support he needs from the provider and the prison service, then there can be optimism that the early signs of improvement at this important prison can begin to be consolidated and sustained.”
A spokesperson for HMP Parc said: "The first six months of 2024 were extremely difficult and our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of the men that passed away. Since then, considerable work has been carried out to make significant improvements at the prison.
“We are encouraged that HMIP recognises that we are making solid progress and noted positive developments in tackling violence, self-harm rates and use of force.
“We are determined to ensure the men in our care are safe, supported and can feel optimistic about their futures, and we are working tirelessly on a comprehensive improvement plan to once again deliver excellent services at HMP Parc. Our plan includes all of HMIP’s recommendations."
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