There has been an increased use of the legal high Spice – known as the Zombie drug – at Inverness jail, according to the Chief Inspector of Prisons in Scotland.
David Strang, in his inspectors’ report being published today, said: “Staff and prisoners reported concerns about the recent influx of what they referred to as “Spice” or NPS.
“This had created some uncertainty and anxiety within the establishment, with staff and prisoners having witnessed individuals acting in an unusual and unpredictable manner.
“This situation is challenging for staff and management in the assessment of risk, as well as creating increased levels of anxiety in the establishment.
He said concerns were raised following “a recent incident” involving Spice – a synthetic cannabis – adding: “This is a common emerging theme from recent inspections, where staff and prisoners have expressed concerns about how the unpredictability of prisoners who had allegedly consumed NPS had adversely affected the sense of safety and order in establishments.
“SPS HQ must undertake some research into the effects of NPS and/or other
unidentifiable substances on the atmosphere, stability and levels of tension within their prisons.”
His comments come after a leading Scots drugs expert called for prisoners to be given free cannabis to combat the problem of Spice in jails.
Dr Stephanie Sharp, a co-founder Glasgow Expert Witness Service, said inmates should be given cannabis as it is safer than psychoactive substances.
A fatal accident inquiry is to be held into the death of a prisoner at HMP Edinburgh who is suspected to have taken Spice.