calls for urgent action on drug-related deaths in prisons

More prisoners could die if “urgent” action is not taken after four suspected drug-related deaths in prison in six months, a spokesman said.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman said the report showed there were “significant quantities” of drugs at HMP The Mount in Bovingdon, near Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

Two prisoners died as a result of substance use in July 2022, and two died as a result of psychoactive substance use in January 2023.

A prison service spokesman said: “From 2022, HMP The Mount has improved its drugs strategy to reduce the supply of illicit substances within the prison.”

Tyrone Beresford (31) died at HMP The Mount in July 2022 after an overdose of Spice, a synthetic psychoactive drug created to mimic the effects of cannabis.

Beresford, who has a history of drug and alcohol abuse, was transferred to The Mount center in November 2019 for five years and six months in prison.

In the period from December 2019 to October 2020, he was found to be under the influence of psychoactive substances seven times, the prosecutor’s office reported. Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He later worked with a health and wellness professional and therapist to help with anxiety and depression.

The spokesman said the care he received was “not equivalent” to the care he would receive outside prison.

His report stated that “there were indications that Mr. Beresford had re-engaged in the prison drug culture” as of December 2021, and that “relatives of other prisoners were paying him money” in April 2022.

On July 12, Mr. Beresford was removed from work in the prison kitchen “after receiving information that he was using and transporting psychoactive substances.”

Two days later, after being removed, he was found unconscious in his cell.

There was no evidence that he intended to take his own life.

“More prisoners will die there”

At the time of Beresford’s death, all forms of drug testing were suspended and only 50% of requested searches were conducted.

A spokesman said prison management was not doing enough to reduce supply and demand, adding: “I am deeply concerned that unless more urgent action is taken to reduce drugs in prison, more prisoners will die there.

“Persistent staff shortages continually undermine the prison’s efforts to reduce supply and demand.”

Since Beresford and another inmate have died, additional measures have been put in place to reduce supply and demand.

The report indicated that these efforts were frustrated by a persistent lack of operational staff, meaning they were unable to conduct an effective drug testing program.

The spokesman also said the first employee who found Mr Beresford in his cell did not call 911 and said officers’ response to emergencies was “poor”.

A prison service spokesman said: “Staff have also undergone renewed emergency medical training to reduce the likelihood of an incident like this happening again.”

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