There has been a rush to send nine inmates from Portlaoise Prison – the highest security penitentiary in the Republic, to the hospital following a suspected case of mass drug overdosing. A number of the prison inmates are undergoing treatment at Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise, which is located next to the prison in the Co Laois town. At the same time, other inmates have been transported to Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
According to sources, a white powder substance, which is assumed to have been used by the convicts, was discovered and is currently under analysis. Although the nature of the substance is yet to be determined as the analysis is pending, there are suspicions that it is a strong synthetic drug.
The Irish Prison Service is treating the incident as crucial as it appears to be the latest in a series of cases where drug consumers have suffered from overdoses, some resulting in death, after consuming extremely strong synthetic drugs from the same batch. A growing preference for synthetic drugs among occasional and serious drug users is alarming for the prison authorities.
There is a common trend observed in the prisons where the inmates hastily consume the smuggled drugs. This can result in immediate multiple overdoses, particularly if the batch is potent or adulterated. The synthetic drug users typically take a smaller physical quantity compared to other drugs, which makes it easier to hide and smuggle into prisons.
In response to the enquiries about the case, the Irish Prison Service stated that they are working in close collaboration with the HSE to address several cases of overdoses while in custody. It, however, did not mention Portlaoise Prison specifically. The prison service has increased the availability of naloxone kits in case clinical intervention becomes necessary. They have also started an information campaign for the inmates about the risks associated with consuming smuggled items, while maintaining a heightened vigilance across all prison properties.
“The commitment of the Irish Prison Service towards hampering the flow of illegal items, particularly drugs, into correctional facilities remains undeterred and is considered critical. There is a continued dedication by the Irish Prison Service to allocate resources to introduce new technologies and procedures that assist in ensuring illicit items are kept out of penitentiaries.
The authority overseeing prisons has ramped up the frequency of unplanned and intelligence-led inspections of inmates’ cells daily, whilst the Dog Unit has been actively conducting searches in and around the prison environment including a closer examination of the supplies delivered. Their collaboration with the police force, Gardaí, plays a strategic role in combating drug smuggling into prisons.
The prison service, within the framework of the Tactical Support Team, often shares critical information with their Gardaí peers. This partnership has resulted in specialised searches that have successfully intercepted various forms of smuggled goods.
Despite not providing comprehensive comments on the developing situation in Portlaoise, the Association of Irish Prison Officers expressed disquiet over the case. They emphasised their perennial concerns about the large volumes of narcotics being circulated within the penitentiary system.”