'Mass poisoning' at Kent prison after curry allegedly spiked, union says

The Criminal Justice Workers Union said that 25 people were affected in the incident. Credit: PA

A union representing prison officers has called for a "full investigation" into reports of a "mass poisoning" of staff at a prison in Kent.

The Criminal Justice Workers Union said that 25 people were affected in the incident at HMP Swaleside on the Isle of Sheppey.

South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed that three people working at the men’s high-security prison were taken to hospital.

Andy Hamlin, Criminal Justice Workers Union, said: "The Criminal Justice Workers Union are concerned at the reports from HMP Swaleside regarding the deliberate poisoning of staff by prisoners working in the staff canteen with Spice.

"Although it is not unusual for prisoners to be working staff canteens, they are expected to be the low risk, which clearly hasn’t happened in this case.

"Spice is a synthetic psychoactive substance, designed to replicate the high of illegal drugs.

"It can cause symptoms such as breathing difficulties, hallucinations, raised heart rate and is extremely dangerous to those pre existing illnesses."

It is understood that none of the staff were in critical condition and all have since been discharged from hospital.

It is understood that the staff members affected at HMP Swale have since been discharged from hospital. Credit: PA

Mr Hamlin added that staff were instructed not to discuss the incident on May 9, which he claimed was the management’s attempt to "play down the incident".

He said: "Our members have raised valid concerns, and believe the senior management team at HMP Swaleside have attempted to play down the incident, with staff being instructed not to discuss the incident or mention it on social media.

"This has led staff to believe the senior management team are prioritising the establishment’s reputation, over the health and safety of its staff.

"The CJWU demand HMPPS (HM Prison and Probation Service) carry out a full investigation into this incident, which resulted in 25 staff being poisoned, nine South East Coast Ambulances attending and an emergency incident unit being set up within the establishment.

"HMPPS and local senior management team at HMP Swaleside must do more to protect the health and safety of its staff."

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "A number of staff were taken ill following an incident at HMP Swaleside last week but have all now returned to work.

"There is an ongoing investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

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