Lags at crisis-hit jail using dead RATS and pigeons to smuggle in drugs, reveals whistleblower

INMATES at a crisis-hit jail are smuggling in drugs hidden in dead rats and pigeons, a whistleblower revealed.

Lags at HMP Deerbolt retrieve packages from inside the dead animals which have been tossed over fences.

We told last week how 38 prisoners at the jail collapsed in 24 hours after drug binges. And a string of staff have resigned over affairs with lags or for smuggling contraband into the jail.

Violence is also said to be rife in the site in Co Durham.

A whistleblower said: “The prison is in chaos — it’s total anarchy with the management seemingly giving up.

“There are all sorts of drugs in there. The new ruse they’re using to get stuff in is to hide it inside dead animals. It is truly revolting.

“Prisoners’ associates get rats and pigeons, wither killing them or finding a dead one.

“They take their innards out and put packages in there and sew them up before tossing them over fences into the prison grounds.

“You never know what’s in the drugs. A lot of it is down to boredom.

“There are a lot of men locked up for 22 hours per day because there are not enough staff to keep them occupied.”

A source said the jail had employed a safety officer to combat drugs and violence problems — and that more staff flouting rules were being caught.

The Ministry of Justice said: “We’ll get a grip to bear down on drugs and violence in jails.”