May 16th 2024.
Several prison officers were suddenly rushed to the hospital, causing quite a stir. It was reported that the inmates had deliberately added a drug called spice to their curry, causing a mass poisoning. This unfortunate incident occurred in HMP Swaleside, a high-security prison located on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent. The prison employees, numbering up to 25, were affected by this incident.
Spice is the common name for a synthetic cannabinoid and a New Psychoactive Substance. It is a psychoactive drug that is known to cause a high similar to that of cannabis. However, it can also lead to various side effects such as mood swings, anxiety, paranoia, tremors, seizures, and even fits. It was revealed that the prisoners working in the staff canteen were responsible for spiking the curry with this dangerous drug.
It is mandatory for prisoners to undergo an employment risk assessment before they are allowed to prepare and serve food to the staff. However, in this case, it seems that the risk assessment failed to identify the potential danger posed by these inmates. A spokesperson for the Criminal Justice Workers Union expressed their concern, stating that it is not common for prisoners to work in staff canteens and they are expected to pose a low risk. Unfortunately, this was not the case this time.
Spice is infamously known as the "zombie drug" due to its ability to leave users in a catatonic state. It was also discovered that the prison had a high supply of drugs, and violence levels were equally high, according to the last inspection by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons. More than 40% of the inmates were serving sentences longer than 10 years, and an equal number were serving indeterminate jail terms, mostly life sentences. There was even an entire unit dedicated to men convicted of sexual offenses.
The mass poisoning event resulted in an emergency medical incident unit being set up at the prison, which houses approximately 1,100 inmates. Andy Hamlin, an official for the CJWU, revealed that the prisoners had spiked a "staff special curry" with what is believed to be an NPS. This led to 25 staff members being affected, and they were witnessed exhibiting symptoms such as breathing difficulties and raised heart rates.
The situation was so severe that nine ambulances were called to the scene, and five prison officers had to be taken to the hospital. However, it is a relief that they were not in critical condition and have since been discharged. The CJWU has demanded that the prison service conducts a thorough investigation into this incident. They also called for the local senior management team at HMP Swaleside to take necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of their staff.
In response to this incident, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice stated that they are working closely with relevant agencies. They further added that a number of staff members were taken ill but were soon discharged from the hospital. As the investigation is still ongoing, they refused to comment further at this stage.
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