Up to 15 prisoners at HMP Lewes in East Sussex are unwell following an incident at the facility earlier today.
The prison has been locked down, with multiple ambulances outside, local media have reported.
The Argus reported that two people were in a “life-threatening” condition earlier today, but a Ministry of Justice spokesperson told GB News this was not the case.
Alongside standard ambulances, a specialist “incident support unit” van for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards has been pictured outside the prison.
10 inmates fell ill while returning from an Easter service at the prison’s chapel earlier today, the Telegraph reported.
Ambulances and other emergency response vehicles have been pictured outside the facility
While an HMP Lewes source told the Daily Mail: “They all got sick after going to a religious event at a chapel service with food at the end of it.
“A significant amount of staff and prisoners have been taken ill.
“It’s either a case of food poisoning or spiking, but it’s happened far too quickly for it just to be food poisoning.
“It sounds like food prepared in the kitchen has been spiked.”
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Maria Caulfield, the Conservative MP for Lewes, said: “Concerned to hear about the incident at Lewes prison. Emergency services are on scene and it is important to let them deal with the situation in looking after those affected.”
A South East Coast Ambulance spokesperson told GB News: “I can confirm we have attended an incident at HMP Lewes reported to us at approximately midday today (March 28).”
Meanwhile, a decontamination tent has been established at nearby Eastbourne hospital, alongside signs saying the building is closed due to a “major incident”.
Sussex Police are also at the scene and are assisting ambulance crews after “reports of a medical incident at HMP Lewes at around 12.30pm” today.
An East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “The Fire Service are currently working with other agencies and specialist teams to ascertain the cause of the issue.”
An East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust spokesperson added: “Earlier today, Eastbourne District General Hospital was stood up to potentially receive casualties following an incident at HMP Lewes.
“We have now been stood down. Care at the hospital has not been affected, and continues to operate as usual.”
A Prison Service spokesperson said: “We are working with the emergency services to deal with a suspected food poisoning incident at HMP Lewes.”
GB News has approached South East Coast Ambulance and Sussex Police for comment.
