25 prison officers reportedly fell ill after a staff meal at HMP Swaleside on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent was allegedly spiked by inmates.
According to the Criminal Justice Workers Union (CJWU), prisoners are suspected of lacing a curry intended for staff with a new psychoactive substance (NPS).
The incident occurred around 2:10 PM last Thursday, prompting a swift response from South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb), which dispatched nine ambulances and set up a makeshift incident unit at the prison. CJWU official Andy Hamlin described the event as a “mass poisoning of staff,” noting that affected officers exhibited symptoms such as breathing difficulties and elevated heart rates.
SECAmb confirmed that several patients were treated on-site, with three individuals transported to the hospital for further evaluation. Kent Police also assisted at the scene.
A Prison Service spokesperson confirmed that staff members had fallen ill but have since returned to work. They stated, “There is an ongoing investigation, and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”
While The Sun reports that the drug involved may have been Spice—a synthetic cannabinoid known for its unpredictable and harmful effects—this has not been confirmed.
HMP Swaleside houses approximately 1,100 inmates. The CJWU is calling for His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
[Image created via MidJourney]