A coroner has issued a stark warning that more deaths are likely to occur at HMP Birmingham unless urgent action is taken to prevent drones from delivering drugs into the prison. Emma Brown, Area Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull, addressed this concern to the Ministry of Justice after the death of inmate Derrion Adams.
Adams, 29, described by his family as a “sensitive soul,” was found in cardiac arrest beside tampered vapes in his shared cell at Winson Green on October 31, 2024. The inquest concluded last month that he died from complications related to synthetic cannabinoid use—commonly known as spice or Black Mamba. He had been imprisoned just six months prior and had a history of substance misuse.
The day of his death was marked by what prison officers described as a “manic” atmosphere amid a spike in drug-related incidents on the wing. Staffing shortages contributed to a delayed response to Adams' cardiac arrest, highlighting systemic pressures within the institution.
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In her prevention of future deaths report, Coroner Brown emphasized that while HMP Birmingham is employing all available measures to combat drug smuggling, criminal networks have become increasingly sophisticated. As a result, illicit substances continue to find their way into the facility, posing a severe risk to prisoner safety.
“These substances create a risk to life,” Brown stated. The report also detailed the significant burden placed on prison staff, who face rising demands including managing prisoner conduct and responding to frequent drug-related emergencies known as ‘code blues.’
On the day Adams died, K wing experienced multiple ‘under the influence’ incidents simultaneously, leaving just one officer to manage up to 60 inmates during lockdown procedures while colleagues attended urgent calls. Staff described feeling overwhelmed and inundated.
To address this, tamper-proof vapes are set to be introduced at the prison, aiming to reduce psychoactive substance use. While staffing levels have reportedly reached targeted numbers based on historical benchmarks, these figures do not currently account for the increased challenges posed by drone deliveries and surges in drug-related incidents.
“The current staffing benchmarks may not reflect the escalating operational pressures,” the coroner warned, underscoring the ongoing risk to prisoner and staff welfare.
The Ministry of Justice, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, West Midlands Police, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman, and Cranstoun Recovery have all received the report and must respond by January 2026, outlining the steps they will take to prevent future tragedies.