An inmate at HMP Chelmsford has died following what sources describe as a “dodgy spice” outbreak at the troubled Essex prison.
Ivor Manton, 43, passed away in hospital on March 6 after a drug-related incident within the facility.
The synthetic cannabinoid, commonly referred to as spice, is believed to have caused multiple overdoses among prisoners.
According to a prison source, as many as six inmates may have been affected by the contaminated substance.
The incident has prompted urgent action from authorities at the jail, which has previously faced significant criticism over its management and conditions.
Staff at the prison have intensified their search operations in response to the crisis.
A temporary amnesty allowing inmates to surrender drugs without punishment has also been introduced.
One prisoner required emergency medical intervention after allegedly consuming the synthetic substance.
An inmate at HMP Chelmsford has died following what sources describe as a “dodgy spice” outbreak at the troubled Essex prison.
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The source familiar with the situation indicated that the total number of overdoses could have reached six.
“It’s disgusting it’s even happened,” the insider remarked. “They have massive security and drugs are still managing to flood the jail.”
The outbreak has raised serious questions about how illicit substances continue to penetrate the facility despite existing security protocols.
Research conducted by Middlesex University found that spice was implicated in 62 of 129 non-natural deaths in prisons across England and Wales between 2015 and 2020.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman examined 136 drug-related fatalities between December 2022 and December 2024.
A Prison Service spokesman confirmed the death, stating: “HMP Chelmsford prisoner Ivor Manton died in hospital on 6 March. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”
The spokesman added that “a small number of further prisoners were also taken ill over the weekend and have now been treated.”
Officials declined to elaborate further while investigations remain ongoing.
A jail source painted a damning picture of conditions at the facility, describing HMP Chelmsford as “out of control”.
The prison was deemed to be “in a state of near collapse” back in 2021, with inspectors citing severe overcrowding and chronic understaffing as primary concerns.
The facility has been mired in controversy in recent years, attracting national attention last year following the erroneous release of Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian asylum seeker who had been convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and an adult woman.
HMP Chelmsford is perhaps best known for having housed notorious criminals, including Pat Tate of the Essex Boys drug gang.