Three more prisoners have been taken to hospital following suspected drug overdoses at a Scottish maximum security jail.
Paramedics were called to HMP Shotts in Lanarkshire on Monday where it is believed the trio took drugs from a rogue batch circulating in one part of the prison.
It comes after six inmates at the facility were rushed to hospital following drug overdoses at the weekend.
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson confirmed three more people were taken to hospital on Monday.
An insider previously told the Record that inmates were collapsing with suspected drug overdoses “every few hours” after taking what is believed to have been a spice-based substance which is hard to identify.
Use of dangerous psychoactive drugs – known as spice – and etizolam, aka “street valium”, has been a growing problem in jails.
Justice Secretary Keith Brown has faced criticism over nine drug fatalities recorded at the jail in 2021.
The Scottish Tories’ shadow community safety minister Russell Findlay has raised the drugs crisis issue with Mr Brown four times in recent weeks.
In a video posted from outside Shotts on Sunday, Mr Findlay said: “It’s only a matter of time before yet more prisoners leave in body bags.”
The Prison Officers’ Association has also called for urgent action on tackling the flood of deadly substances like ‘zombie spice’ into the estate.
John Cairney, chair of the trade union’s Scottish National Committee, said in an update to members that staff were seeing “unbelievable disruption” and working in increasingly unsafe conditions.
It’s understood staff within the estate have also reported falling ill due to secondary exposure to the chemicals.
While prison chiefs are working with partners, including Dundee University scientists, on ways of detecting and intercepting the drugs, they appear to be fighting a losing battle.
SPS has already said that the battle against psychoactive substances is a priority.
Don't miss the latest Scottish crime and courts news from the Daily Record. Sign up to our Criminal Record newsletter here .
