DOZENS of prisoners and staff at HMP Berwyn in Wrexham have been infected with coronavirus, figures show.

The figures have been given to Liz Saville-Roberts, Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, after requesting the information from the Ministry of Justice.

They show that a total of 81 prisoners and 61 staff members have tested positive for the virus at the five Welsh jails.

Those at HMP Berwyn in Wrexham – the biggest jail in Britain – saw 22 prisoners and 11 staff infected.

The data also reveals infections at HMP Cardiff, HMP Parc, HMP Swansea and HMP USK/Prescoed as of May 11.

Along with HMP Cardiff, Berwyn saw the highest rate of prisoner infections – both recording 22 cases.

The most prison staff were affected in HMPs Cardiff and USK/Prescoed – both returning a figure of 17.

In a separate written Parliamentary answer, Minister of State Lucy Frazer states that this month 29,171 prisoners across England and Wales shared cells with two or more people – a proportion of 36 per cent.

“We have robust and flexible plans in place to keep staff, the public and prisoners safe,” she points out.

“These are based on the latest public health advice and there are positive early signs that these are proving effective.”