© By Sophie Lewis | @sophielewiseditorial

In recent weeks, a growing number of families, former prisoners, and loved ones have come forward to share their concerns about food provision inside HMP Parc. Their accounts, shared across social media platforms, reveal a troubling picture of chronic underfeeding, poor-quality meals, and significant health impacts for those inside.

A family member described how every day their loved one would complain about the portion sizes. “We all understand it’s not a five-star hotel,” they said, “but the portions are so small it’s not enough to keep them going.”

Another family member shared that their partner has lost a considerable amount of weight since being incarcerated. “He says the portions aren’t enough for a grown man, nothing nutritious. He’s often left with no choice but scraps, relying on canteen food to get by. His health has really suffered – he’s always run down or sick, and he’s constantly lethargic.”

Former prisoners have also spoken out. One described how trays meant to serve 25 people were stretched to feed more than 40, leading to constant shortages and stolen food. “It’s a joke,” they said. “The officers don’t care, they won’t get more. There are a lot of men in there who have nothing to fall back on – they depend completely on what the prison provides.”

Health impacts are a recurring theme in these reports. One family member said: “I just had a visit and my partner has lost loads of weight. There’s nowhere near enough food for a grown man.” Another recounted how they were forced to live off noodles from the canteen for six months because of the meagre portions. Even fruit and vegetables were often inedible: “They sent a box of bananas that were rotten. Christmas pudding in March. Halloween doughnuts in February. It’s an absolute joke.”

Loved ones also described how the prison’s strict rules around food brought in on visits compounded the problem. “You buy them food on visit but there’s no time to eat it,” one said. “It should be allowed to take it back with them, but it’s not.”

Many expressed heartbreak and anger at seeing their partners and family members struggle with the poor diet. One person said: “It breaks my heart to hear him on the phone telling me how terrible the food is. He says he wouldn’t feed it to a dog. It’s like he’s never been fed – it’s inhumane.”

Before anyone dismisses these complaints with, “They’re in jail,” one family member urged people to remember that everyone deserves the right to decent, healthy food and a basic level of human dignity. “The sooner we get our loved ones out of that disgrace of a place the better,” they said.

These testimonies, although anonymous, represent a growing chorus of voices calling for answers and accountability from the prison’s management. Despite repeated complaints, many say nothing has been done. One person summed it up: “I raised this issue at a prison meeting last month. Still nothing’s been done about it. It’s time to get proper action taken.”

HMP Parc is operated by G4S, with catering services typically subcontracted to companies like Sodexo in the UK’s private prison sector. At the time of writing, these concerns have not yet been formally raised with G4S or Sodexo. No official comment has been sought from the companies at this stage.

These experiences highlight a serious, ongoing issue: the right to enough, nutritious food is a basic human standard. For prisoners already cut off from their communities, it’s a lifeline that too many say is failing them.