A murderer who became hooked on 'spice' in a North East prison died after his health deteriorated.
Richard Mook was serving a life sentence in HMP Holme House when he died in hospital last year with his family by his side.
A report into his death said the killer's "behaviour was bizarre" as soon as he arrived in the jail, after being transferred from HMP Durham.
It said Mook self-harmed months before his death, while claiming "he was under threat from other prisoners".
Months earlier he had confided in a nurse that he was using 'spice' on a daily basis.
After becoming unwell in May last year, Mook was taken to hospital.
"Hospital staff diagnosed suspected sepsis and acute pneumonia," states the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman report.
"Mr Mook’s condition deteriorated and he died in hospital on May 21."
The watchdog criticised the Category C prison for using restraints to transport Mook - who was jailed in 1995 - to hospital.
However, after falling unwell last May, "breathless" Mook was rushed to hospital with both hands cuffed.
"Hospital staff diagnosed suspected sepsis and acute pneumonia," states the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman report.
"Mr Mook’s condition deteriorated and he died in hospital on 21 May."
However the watchdog has criticised the Category C prison for using the restraints to transport Mook - who was jailed in 1995 - to hospital.
Officials at the jail tried justifying the use of the restraints by pointing out Mook was serving a life-term for murder.
However, the report states "security measures must be proportionate to a prisoner’s individual circumstances".
"We are concerned that it was considered appropriate to use double handcuffs for Mr Mook," the report said.
"Double cuffing is usually required for moving Category A or Category B prisoners in good health. Mr Mook was a Category C prisoner.
"When, exceptionally, double cuffs are used for a Category C prisoner like Mr Mook, the National Security Framework requires that reasons should be recorded in writing.
"It is difficult to see how the assessment concluded that a seriously ill man had the ability to escape unaided from two escort officers."
The coroner said the cause was death was multiple organ failure caused by severe septicaemia, which in turn was caused by an extensive chest infection.
The Ministry of Justice did not wish to comment.
