The use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is suspected to have played a part in the deaths of some prisoners, said Nigel Newcomen, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO). Today he published a bulletin on the lessons that can be learned from PPO investigations into deaths of prisoners where the use of NPS-type drugs was suspected.
The Ombudsman said:
“NPS covers a range of substances and the precise health risks are difficult to establish. However, there is emerging evidence that there are dangers to both physical and mental health, and there may in some cases be links to suicide or self-harm. Staff and other prisoners may be at risk from users reacting violent to the effects of NPS.
“Trading of these substances in prison can also lead to debt, violence and intimidation. Once again, this creates the potential to increase self-harm or suicide among the vulnerable, as well as adding to the security and control problems facing staff. I hope that by sharing the lessons from the few deaths where we know that use of such drugs was a factor, this will further support efforts in prison to address the supply of these substances, respond better to the threats they pose and help educate prisoners so as to reduce demand.”