It was reported that a prisoner has died following an alleged drug overdose at HMP Forrest Bank at the weekend.
An inmate is believed to have taken the potent synthetic drug Spice before becoming ill at the category B prison in Pendlebury, Salford. He died in jail on Sunday morning.
HMP Forest Bank has been under pressure to tackle the widespread use of so-called new psychoactive substances (NPSs), formerly known as legal highs, since footage emerged of drug-fuelled violence between inmates last October.
There is now an ongoing investigation by the Police and also the Prison and Probation Ombudsman.
Kulvinder Gill, a specialist solicitor in deaths in custody, who has represented many families in inquest proceedings, says that there must be a thorough and detailed investigation.
“There seems to be an epidemic of drugs being widely available in prisons which is alarming. In this case it appears that the authorities were already aware of problems with the availability and use of drugs by prisoners within HMP Forest Bank. The investigation must establish the root cause of how the deceased was able to obtain and use the drugs that lead to this terrible loss of life so that lessons can be learnt and future deaths in such circumstances avoided.”
If you or any family member requires any assistance then please do call Kulvinder Gill or the civil liberties team at Howells Solicitors on 0114 2496666.
Media link to story – https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jan/30/hmp-forest-bank-prisoner-dies-suspected-drug-overdose-spice-greater-manchester