Inmate found in cell had history of drug use - inquest

An inmate who was found unresponsive in his cell at a prison in Nottinghamshire "had a history of drug use", an inquest has heard.

Raymond Wallace, 52, died after two other inmates discovered him unconscious at HMP Lowdham Grange on 26 January 2025.

A jury at Nottingham Coroner's Court on Monday heard Wallace was "a trusted prisoner" who worked in the prison's gardens and acted as a mentor, but had also failed a drug test the previous year.

Assistant coroner Helena Gallagher said he was known to use drugs "in the community", and was believed to be involved in drug culture when previously in prison.

The court was told Wallace - described as a "gentle giant" by a fellow inmate - was transferred to Lowdham Grange on 29 March 2023, when the prison was run by private provider Sodexo.

In May 2024 he took a drug test, and a synthetic cannabinoid - one of a group of substances commonly known as Spice - was found in his system.

On 26 January 2025 the prisoners were locked in their cells shortly before 12:00 GMT, and Gallagher said Wallace was last seen alive following a check at about 12:05.

The cells were unlocked at about 14:15, and the jury was told two inmates found Wallace unconscious in his cell shortly before 15:00 and alerted staff, who called for a code blue emergency.

Despite being attended to by paramedics, Wallace was declared dead at 15:42.

The court heard a cell search by Nottinghamshire Police found a vape, a cartridge and paper containing Spice, but no third-party involvement or suspicious activity was suspected in connection with the death.

A post-mortem investigation found the probable medical cause of death was "the effects of synthetic cannabinoids", while the presence of heart disease "most likely indirectly contributed to Mr Wallace's death".

The court heard from Gareth Evans, the current head of safety and segregation at the prison, who arrived in November 2024, by which time it was being run by the Ministry of Justice.

At the time of Wallace's death he said Spice was "a massive issue" in Lowdham Grange, which was having "a very, very difficult time", but said improvements made since then had reduced the influx of drugs and emergency incidents.

"It's becoming a less common occurrence, but there are times when it will spike," he said.

The inquest continues.

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