Several prison officers were rushed to hospital after inmates allegedly "spiked" their curry with the drug Spice.
As many as 25 employees at high-security HMP Swaleside were affected by what was described as a "mass poisoning of staff". It's suspected the curry, prepared in the prison canteen, contained the synthetic cannabinoid and New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) - better known as Spice.
The psychoactive drug has similar effects to cannabis and can cause mood swings, anxiety, paranoia, tremors, seizures and fits. Paramedics in nine ambulances were called to the prison on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent last Thursday afternoon (May 9). An emergency medical incident unit was set up at the jail, which holds around 1,100 inmates.
Of the many officers taken ill, at least three were taken to hospital for further treatment. Andy Hamlin, an official for the Criminal Justice Workers Union (CJWU), said: "Prisoners preparing food in the staff canteen spiked a 'staff special curry' with what is believed to be an NPS. Twenty-five staff were affected and were witnessed under the influence of NPS.
"Among those affected, there were symptoms including breathing difficulties and raised heart rates. South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) sent nine ambulances to attend the incident with a makeshift incident unit set up within the establishment."
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A spokesman for SECAmb confirmed that three people were rushed to Medway Maritime Hospital for further checks, although the CJWU believes five officers required hospital treatment. A spokesperson for the CJWU executive committee demanded that a full investigation into the incident be carried out at the prison.
They said: "Although it is not unusual for prisoners to be working staff canteens, they are expected to be a low risk, which clearly hasn't happened in this case. The CJWUnion demands HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) carry out a full investigation into this incident.
"HMPPS and local senior management team at HMP Swaleside must do more to protect the health and safety of its staff." The CJWU explained that prisoners at HMP Swaleside are employed to prepare and serve the food in the staff canteen.
To hold this position, they are required to complete an employment risk assessment. The prison's last inspection by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons found that levels of violence were high and drugs too easy to obtain. More than 40 per cent of prisoners are serving lengthy sentences of more than ten years, with a similar proportion serving indeterminate sentences, mostly life sentences.
One unit is specifically allocated for men convicted of sexual offences. The Ministry of Justice said: "A number of staff were taken ill following an incident at HMP Swaleside last week and those who attended the hospital were soon discharged. There is an ongoing investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."
They added that the government department is liaising with all relevant agencies involved and that none of the staff taken to hospital were in a critical condition.
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