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Bristol Prison: 'Huge' and disruptive' legal highs problem Bristol Prison: 'Huge' and disruptive' legal highs problem
(about 9 hours later)
So-called legal highs are a "huge and disruptive" problem at Bristol Prison, a spokesman for the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) says.So-called legal highs are a "huge and disruptive" problem at Bristol Prison, a spokesman for the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) says.
More than 30 ambulances were called in one week to treat inmates who had taken psychoactive substances, the BBC has learnt.More than 30 ambulances were called in one week to treat inmates who had taken psychoactive substances, the BBC has learnt.
The IMB's Graham Bingham said the drugs made prisoners act violently and staff have been attacked.The IMB's Graham Bingham said the drugs made prisoners act violently and staff have been attacked.
The Ministry of Justice said the prison is actively working on the problem.The Ministry of Justice said the prison is actively working on the problem.
Police patrols have also been increased outside in order to prevent drugs from getting in.Police patrols have also been increased outside in order to prevent drugs from getting in.
'Superhuman strength''Superhuman strength'
Mr Bingham said he had personally seen prisoners under the influence of the drugs acting "very violently" when officers attempted to restrain them.Mr Bingham said he had personally seen prisoners under the influence of the drugs acting "very violently" when officers attempted to restrain them.
"They seem to have superhuman strength," he said. "Three or four members of staff are needed to contain them.""They seem to have superhuman strength," he said. "Three or four members of staff are needed to contain them."
Mr Bingham added that in a single day recently there were seven alerts for prisoners to be taken to hospital under escort for treatment after taking the drugs.Mr Bingham added that in a single day recently there were seven alerts for prisoners to be taken to hospital under escort for treatment after taking the drugs.
New psychoactive substances (NPS) such as Spice have been seized in Bristol Prison.New psychoactive substances (NPS) such as Spice have been seized in Bristol Prison.
They are chemically designed to mimic drugs that are already banned.They are chemically designed to mimic drugs that are already banned.
Spice is a synthetic cannabis substitute and is described by some experts as being up to 100 times more potent.Spice is a synthetic cannabis substitute and is described by some experts as being up to 100 times more potent.
The government's Psychoactive Substances Act, which comes into force in April, will place a blanket ban on all legal highs.The government's Psychoactive Substances Act, which comes into force in April, will place a blanket ban on all legal highs.
However, Dr Tim Williams of Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust said he was concerned the ban could "drive the problem underground".However, Dr Tim Williams of Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust said he was concerned the ban could "drive the problem underground".
He said a similar bill in Ireland was "initially successful", but "there's actually been an increase in people using Spice-related compounds".He said a similar bill in Ireland was "initially successful", but "there's actually been an increase in people using Spice-related compounds".
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