Last updated at 16:33, Tuesday, 22 January 2013

A DRUG “epidemic” is sweeping through Haverigg prison, according to an insider.

Illegal drugs and other contraband are still finding their way in to the prison, it has been claimed.

An anonymous source from inside the prison contacted the Evening Mail due to growing concerns that half of the inmates are “stoned out of their head” on Spice – a synthetic cannabis substitute which has potentially harmful side effects.

Prison security was breached on Christmas Eve and the Evening Mail understands intruders gained access through the outer wall, before throwing a bag containing drugs and mobile phones over the inner fence.

The prison insider said: “The situation is getting out of hand. There’s an epidemic in the prison at the minute. They’re all off their head on this Spice and it can’t be detected. Everyone is walking around stoned out of their head.

“I’d say about half of the inmates are taking this drug, which is very cheap on the outside, but inside it’s going for hundreds of pounds.”

The source said warning posters had been placed in the prison after an inmate who had taken the drug was rushed to Furness General Hospital and given emergency treatment.

A resident of the nearby Bank Head estate, who wished to remain anonymous, said the trafficking of drugs into the prison was getting worse.

He said: “It’s a worry because it’s still happening. Anything strange that happens, the police are informed because it’s detrimental to us as well. But they’re trying everything under the sun to get stuff in.”

A Prison Service spokesman confirmed a probe was under way. He said: “An attempted break-in on Monday, December 24, is currently being investigated by police.

“Staff at HMP Haverigg use a number of measures to keep all drugs out of prisons, including searches, sniffer dogs and random drug tests. Any prisoner caught with illicit drugs will be dealt with severely.”

The spokesman added there was no evidence that the prisoner taken to hospital had used Spice.

First published at 17:31, Monday, 21 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk