©️ By Sophie Lewis | The Indie Leaks | @realtalkrealtea

A peaceful demonstration held outside HMP Parc has sparked unexpected backlash after campaigners from the Predator Awareness and HMP Prisons Justice Group reported a wave of targeted online abuse.

The comments, described as “malicious and persistent,” are alleged to have come from individuals connected to a serving officer at the prison.

The protest, which took place outside the privately run G4S facility, focused on exposing rising deaths in custody and calling for increased transparency and accountability. Campaigners say the harassment began shortly after a live video was streamed from the protest site, during which one of the movement’s lead organisers, Tom Blewitt, addressed the crowd and demanded action from G4S representatives.

According to those involved, the situation has escalated into a pattern of targeted online behaviour spanning multiple days, forcing the group to respond and reinforce platform protections.

What Happened: A Breakdown of the Incident

According to members of the campaign, the initial wave of hostility began shortly after a live video was streamed from the protest site outside HMP Parc. The livestream, led by campaigner Tom Blewitt, featured direct calls for G4S to engage with grieving families and respond publicly to the growing number of inmate deaths at the facility.

Shortly after the broadcast, derogatory comments targeting both Blewitt and the wider campaign began appearing online. While dissent and criticism are not new to the movement, campaigners quickly noted the nature of these comments went beyond typical disagreement — describing them as “personal, aggressive, and deliberately disruptive.”

Following internal checks, it was confirmed that the individuals responsible for the comments were linked to a serving prison officer at HMP Parc. The group stated that, prior to knowing of this connection, they had attempted to reach out publicly in an effort to understand concerns and open dialogue. However, the response they received was not engagement, but escalation.

The individuals involved continued to post hostile and inflammatory comments across various posts, prompting concern from both campaign organisers and supporters.

On the second day of sustained abuse, during a separate livestream hosted by the group, further comments were directed at Blewitt while he stood outside the prison delivering a live statement. These comments were described by the team as “abusive in nature and wholly inappropriate,” particularly given the live setting and sensitive nature of the campaign’s purpose.

How the Campaign Responded: Zero Tolerance and Due Process

In response to the escalating abuse, the Predator Awareness and HMP Prisons Justice Group teams acted swiftly and in accordance with their long-standing group policies.

After reviewing the content of the comments and confirming the individuals’ links to a serving officer, the campaign enforced immediate platform bans for those involved. The decision was based on the group’s zero-tolerance approach to targeted abuse — a policy that has been consistently upheld, regardless of who the perpetrator is.

A spokesperson from the team confirmed:

“We’ve applied the same process time and time again. If someone abuses the group, its members, or its platform — they’re removed. We’ve done it with members before, and we’ll continue to do it, no matter who it is.”

It was further confirmed that both individuals were given the opportunity to engage privately or clarify their position. The team extended a right to reply, which was ultimately declined.

Despite receiving follow-up messages requesting that the bans be lifted, the group maintained its decision. Organisers state that, given the nature and persistence of the abuse, reinstating those responsible would undermine the safe environment the campaign works to protect.

Why This Matters: Integrity, Pressure, and What’s at Stake

For those behind the Predator Awareness and HMP Prisons Justice Group campaigns, this incident represents more than a handful of hostile comments. It points to a broader challenge faced by grassroots justice movements — one that involves navigating smear tactics, silencing attempts, and backlash not just from institutions, but from those connected to them.

Campaign organisers emphasised that the issue was not simply disagreement or criticism — both of which they welcome — but the manner in which the comments were delivered: personally targeted, inflammatory, and aimed at disrupting a peaceful call for justice.

Importantly, this is not the first time campaigners have interacted with the families of prison staff. In fact, organisers say they’ve previously had productive conversations with several relatives of HMP Parc officers, many of whom expressed empathy for the campaign’s mission and acknowledged the serious issues occurring behind prison walls.

This latest incident, however, marks the first time the team has encountered what it describes as “a sustained campaign of coordinated hostility” linked directly to someone within the system they are challenging.

“When we see those connected to authority figures attacking people who are peacefully protesting for truth, it only highlights exactly why this work needs to happen,” said one organiser.
“The system is resisting — and that means we’re hitting a nerve.”

Moving Forward: Standing Firm in the Face of Disruption

Despite the disruption, the campaign remains focused on its central mission: to expose systemic failings, demand transparency, and stand beside families affected by injustice.

Organisers made clear that while personal attacks will never deter their work, they will also never be normalised or tolerated. The safety of campaign members, the integrity of its platforms, and the protection of peaceful public discourse remain non-negotiable.

“We didn’t come into this expecting comfort,” a team member stated. “We came into it expecting resistance. What we won’t accept is harassment — from the system, or from anyone attached to it.”

The individuals involved in the recent incident will not be named by the campaign, nor will they be reinstated. The group considers the matter closed — not to avoid accountability, but to focus their energy where it’s most needed.

As scrutiny of HMP Parc and G4S continues to grow, campaigners say their work will only intensify. They remain committed to telling the truth, amplifying the voices of those who have been ignored, and protecting the spaces where that truth can safely be heard.

“We’re not here for popularity. We’re here for justice,” said one organiser.
“This movement is only getting stronger — and we won’t be shaken.”