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Legal highs 'destabilising prisons', chief inspector warns | Legal highs 'destabilising prisons', chief inspector warns |
(about 13 hours later) | |
Synthetic cannabis is "destabilising" some UK prisons and the situation among inmates is "getting worse, not better", the new prisons inspector has said. | Synthetic cannabis is "destabilising" some UK prisons and the situation among inmates is "getting worse, not better", the new prisons inspector has said. |
The impact of drugs such as as Spice and Black Mamba was "unlike anything" prison staff had seen, chief inspector Peter Clarke told the Guardian. | The impact of drugs such as as Spice and Black Mamba was "unlike anything" prison staff had seen, chief inspector Peter Clarke told the Guardian. |
He said "clear strategies" were needed to tackle drug supply behind bars. | He said "clear strategies" were needed to tackle drug supply behind bars. |
Synthetic cannabis has similar effects on the brain as herbal cannabis but can be much more potent, experts say. | Synthetic cannabis has similar effects on the brain as herbal cannabis but can be much more potent, experts say. |
The government's Psychoactive Substances Act was due to become law last month, to clamp down on the production, distribution and sale of legal highs, but its introduction was postponed. | |
Synthetic cannabis is banned in prisons. | Synthetic cannabis is banned in prisons. |
Legal highs 'causing prison violence' | Legal highs 'causing prison violence' |
Spice: The dangerous alternative to cannabis | Spice: The dangerous alternative to cannabis |
However, Mr Clarke - who became chief inspector earlier this year - said the presence of psychoactive substances in prisons had "given rise to debt, bullying and violence". | However, Mr Clarke - who became chief inspector earlier this year - said the presence of psychoactive substances in prisons had "given rise to debt, bullying and violence". |
He said their impact had been "devastating", adding: "They are destabilising some prisons, making it difficult for normal prison life to continue." | He said their impact had been "devastating", adding: "They are destabilising some prisons, making it difficult for normal prison life to continue." |
Synthetic cannabis is either sprayed on dried, shredded plant material and smoked, or sold as liquids to be vaporized and inhaled. | Synthetic cannabis is either sprayed on dried, shredded plant material and smoked, or sold as liquids to be vaporized and inhaled. |
Figures from RAPt (Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust) have reported a seven-fold increase in the number of people seeking help with new psychoactive substances (NPS). | Figures from RAPt (Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust) have reported a seven-fold increase in the number of people seeking help with new psychoactive substances (NPS). |
Meanwhile, the government has said there were 120 deaths involving NPS in England, Scotland and Wales in 2013. | Meanwhile, the government has said there were 120 deaths involving NPS in England, Scotland and Wales in 2013. |
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO), published in July, found legal highs were a factor in at least 19 prisoner deaths nationwide between 2012 and 2014. | A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO), published in July, found legal highs were a factor in at least 19 prisoner deaths nationwide between 2012 and 2014. |
In September, the Prison Officers' Association (POA) wrote to the chief coroner for England and Wales asking for an investigation into links between prisoner deaths and so-called legal highs. | In September, the Prison Officers' Association (POA) wrote to the chief coroner for England and Wales asking for an investigation into links between prisoner deaths and so-called legal highs. |
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