13 prison staff KO’d by fumes in awash’ nick
MORE than a dozen staff at the same jail were struck down within a week after being exposed to zombie drugs smuggled in for inmates.
Twelve prison officers and one civilian worker suffered violent headaches, nausea and breathlessness from inhaling fumes.
Some were left in a zombielike state by the synthetic drugs, which are known as Black Mamba or Spice.
Four of the 13 were taken to hospital and nine were sent home to recover from Garth Prison near Leyland, Lancs.
Three were affected while in the education department of the 850-inmate Category B nick.
All 13 have since returned to duty but a source said: “The prison is awash with an unprecedented level of legal highs. A lot of staff have fallen ill and it will only get worse.”
The drugs, also called new psychoactive substances, or NPS, are designed to mimic cannabis, cocaine or ecstasy.
Glyn Travis, assistant secretary of the Prison Officers Association, said: “It is one of the biggest problems facing the prison system. Dozens of our members have been affected with symptoms such as violent headaches and vomiting.
“Cuts and a reduction in staff numbers mean it is harder to prevent NPS getting into jails.”
The Prison Service said: “We are taking unprecedented action to stop the supply and use of drugs in prisons.
“Tough new laws are in place to deal with people smuggling in NPS and we have introduced mandatory drug testing, as well as training over 300 dogs specifically to detect them.”