All six individuals hospitalised due to food poisoning at Lewes Prison have been discharged following a significant emergency response on Thursday, March 28th, 2024. Among those affected were three inmates and three staff members at the category B prison, who were admitted to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton after falling ill during a major incident.
Initial reports suggested that at least ten individuals were treated at the prison after becoming unwell just after midday. This prompted a robust emergency service reaction, with eight ambulances, police, fire rescue teams, and a CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) incident support unit responding to the scene.
Decontamination tents were erected outside both Eastbourne District General Hospital and the Royal Sussex as precautionary measures. While signs indicating the closure of EDGH were displayed due to the “major incident,” the hospital later clarified that it remained open and prepared to receive casualties from the prison, all of whom were eventually transported to Brighton.
Initial concerns suggested that two individuals were in life-threatening conditions, but the Ministry of Justice later confirmed that this was not the case. Furthermore, there was no indication of drugs being involved in the incident, according to a spokesperson.
The prison kitchen was temporarily locked down but later reopened after being declared safe by authorities.
A spokesperson for the Prison Service stated, “We are working with the emergency services to deal with a suspected food poisoning incident at HMP Lewes.” Sussex Police confirmed their assistance alongside ambulance crews following reports of the medical incident at the prison.
Despite the alarming nature of the incident, all affected individuals have now been discharged from the hospital, marking a positive turn in the aftermath of the situation.
“The investigation into the cause of the food poisoning incident continues as authorities work to ensure the safety and well-being of inmates and staff at Lewes Prison,” the spokesperson added.
