'Extra vigilance' at Cork Prison following overdoses

The Irish Prison Service is taking “extra vigilance” following three overdoses in Cork Prison on Sunday night, with one inmate having to be hospitalised.

The three inmates presented to the prison staff when they became unwell after allegedly ingesting a substance known as spice, with two returning to their cells but one requiring hospitalisation at CUH, according to The Cork's 96FM Opinion Line with PJ Coogan, Spice is a substance containing one or more synthetic cannabinoids, which can be considerably more harmful and unpredictable than traditional cannabis.

The Irish Prison Service told The Echo it “is working closely with the HSE in response to a number of overdose presentations in custody at Cork Prison".

“Extra vigilance is being taken within the prison and information for prisoners around the dangers of consuming contraband has commenced.” 

The spokesperson continued: “The Irish Prison Service is committed to preventing the access of contraband including drugs into prisons and continues to be a high priority for the Irish Prison Service. The Irish Prison Service has committed to continuing to invest in new technologies and measures to support our efforts to keep contraband out of prisons.

“Prison staff have increased the use of random and intelligence led cell searches on a daily basis. Our Canine Unit carry out searches around the prisons, including a greater focus on searching deliveries into prisons.

“The Irish Prison Service continues to engage with An Garda Síochána with regard to preventing contraband entering our prison and this happens at both local and national level. 

"The Operational Support Group work closely with their colleagues in An Garda Síochána on a regular basis and the sharing of intelligence has led to target searches resulting in the seizure of contraband.” 

They added: “There is a free confidential telephone line(1800 855 717) and text line (086 180 2449) which is operational.

“Prisoners, visitors, staff or members of the public with information on the trafficking of prohibited items into our prisons can pass on that information in the strictest confidence.”