Derrion Adams, a 29-year-old prisoner at HMP Birmingham, was found dead in his cell on October 31 last year, just days after expressing a desire to overcome his drug addiction. Known to his family as a ‘sensitive soul’, Derrion’s tragic passing has highlighted ongoing issues with contraband and synthetic drugs inside the prison.
The inquest, held earlier this week, confirmed that Derrion’s death was caused by complications from two different batches of synthetic cannabinoids, commonly referred to as spice or Black Mamba. He was discovered in cardiac arrest alongside tampered vapes suspected to have been used to inhale these psychoactive substances.
On that day, officers activated a ‘code red’ emergency after inmates found Derrion unresponsive and face down on the floor of his small shared cell. Paramedics administered advanced life support for over 30 minutes, but despite their efforts, Derrion was pronounced dead. The quality of care provided was deemed comparable to community medical standards.
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Prior to his incarceration in April 2024, Derrion, originally from Wolverhampton, had struggled with mental health challenges, including depression, as well as substance abuse. In the days leading up to his death, he reportedly made progress in a positive key worker session and expressed a commitment to getting clean.
The inquest also shed light on the broader issue of drones being used to smuggle drugs and contraband into HMP Birmingham and other UK prisons, presenting an ongoing and evolving security challenge. Area Coroner Emma Brown acknowledged the difficulty in detecting tampered vapes and confirmed that prison authorities actively remove suspicious items despite approved suppliers providing standard vapes.
This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for continued vigilance and improved measures to combat drug infiltration in prisons, protecting vulnerable inmates like Derrion who are trying to turn their lives around.