An inmate at HMP Birmingham died just nine days after being returned to the prison, drawing attention to a growing issue with illicit drug use across the UK prison estate. Martin Casey, 59, also known by the alias ‘John’, died from an enlarged heart combined with intoxication from synthetic cannabinoids, substances linked to drugs such as Spice and Black Mamba.
Casey’s death, disclosed in a recent report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, was among 17 deaths recorded at Winson Green prison, with several tied to drug-related causes. The report also detailed the increasing use of modified vapes to consume these synthetic drugs inside the facility.
This marked the third drug-related death at HMP Birmingham within three years, with another similar death occurring just two days after Casey’s on January 9, 2025. The report underlined that illicit drugs remain a widespread and persistent problem throughout the prison system. A noticeable rise in drug usage was reported at the prison in January 2025.
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In response, the prison planned to introduce tamper-proof vapes starting October 2025 to curb the modification of devices for drug consumption. Another inmate, Derrion Adams, 29, who struggled with substance misuse, was found in cardiac arrest next to tampered vapes in October 2024 and later died.
Between January 2022 and September 2025, records showed 10 deaths from natural causes, 3 drug-related, 3 self-inflicted, and 1 homicide in the facility.
The report stressed that HMP Birmingham has implemented several measures aimed at reducing drug supply and demand, raising awareness among both staff and prisoners, and actively addressing identified issues. It praised the prison’s comprehensive strategy but emphasized the challenge remains significant.
Martin Casey was initially remanded to HMP Birmingham in 2017 and sentenced later that year for multiple offenses including kidnapping, burglary, theft, attempted robbery, and racially or religiously aggravated assault. He had a documented history of substance use, with positive drug tests and hospitalizations following suspected psychoactive substance use.
After his release on licence in March 2022, Casey was recalled twice, most recently on December 31, 2024, for breaching licence conditions, leading to his return to the prison. While at HMP Birmingham, Casey was engaged with the prison’s substance misuse service and undergoing an alcohol detox program, although he declined further support for drug use.
The fatal incident occurred on January 9, 2025, a few hours after a social visit with his partner, when Casey was found unresponsive in his cell. Despite emergency medical interventions, he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. The post-mortem confirmed synthetic cannabinoid intoxication combined with an enlarged heart as the cause of death.
The clinical review accompanying the report found that the healthcare Casey received was roughly equivalent to community standards but recommended improvements. Specifically, it called for face-to-face reviews of prisoners in substance misuse programs and thorough assessment of medical records and medication adherence to better manage drug misuse and dependence.