Inmates Spike Staff Curry with Drugs at Kent Prison, Resulting in Mass Poisoning

The incident at HMP Swaleside, where twenty-five prison officers reportedly fell ill after a staff meal was “spiked” by inmates, has raised concerns about the safety and security within the prison system. Located on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, prisoners are suspected to have laced a curry meant for staff with a drug, according to a union claim. The Criminal Justice Workers Union (CJWU) official Andy Hamlin described the incident as a “mass poisoning of staff” and stated that prisoners preparing food in the staff canteen spiked a ‘staff special curry’ with what is believed to be a new psychoactive substance (NPS). The South East Coast Ambulance Service paramedics were called in to assist at the scene around 2.10pm last Thursday. The incident led to twenty-five staff members being affected and witnessed under the influence of NPS, displaying symptoms including breathing difficulties and raised heart rates. The paramedics sent nine ambulances to the site and set up a makeshift incident unit within the establishment. Additionally, a number of patients were treated at the scene, and three were taken to the hospital for further checks. Kent Police also confirmed their assistance at the scene, further adding to the complexity and severity of the incident. A Prison Service spokesperson stated that several staff members were affected following the incident but have since returned to work. An ongoing investigation is in progress, and the spokesperson declined to comment further at this stage. The Sun reports that Spice, a type of NPS, is suspected to have been used, though this has not been officially confirmed. Spice, also known as synthetic cannabinoids, are lab-made drugs designed to mimic the effects of cannabis but are considered more harmful and unpredictable. Spice can produce a range of effects and health risks, including chest pain, breathing difficulties, the inability to move, seizures, vomiting, paranoia, and extreme anxiety. The prison officers at HMP Swaleside, home to around 1,100 prisoners, have fallen victim to the harmful effects of this substance. The CJWU spokesperson demands a full investigation by HM Prison and Probation Service into the incident to ensure the health and safety of prison staff in the future. It was noted that the expectation that prisoners working in staff canteens are at low risk was not met in this case, highlighting a failure in the existing safety protocols. https://therealcrimediary.com/inmates-spike-staff-curry-with-drugs-at-kent-prison-resulting-in-mass-poisoning/?feed_id=76869&_unique_id=66fb90165708c