SCOTLAND COUNTY, N.C. — “Multiple offenders in a medium custody unit who were found to be under the influence of an unknown substance,” according to Brad Deen with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Communications, happened at Scotland Correctional Institution last Saturday night.
Deen said that three of them were taken by EMS to a nearby hospital, where they were treated, and then sent back to Scotland Correctional.
He also said that the others were treated at the hospital. The area where the overdose seems to have happened is now locked down until the whole thing is fully looked into.
Deen said that the N.C. Department of Adult Correction has taken many steps to stop illegal items from getting into the prisons. These include tighter security and a service that scans inmates’ mail.
He also said that moving drugs and other illegal items is a big problem for prisons and jails across the country.
As what happened at Scotland Correctional over the weekend shows, Deen said, “Drugs are a danger to the offenders who are in our care and custody.” In addition, they are a danger to staff because criminals who are drunk often act violently. “The drug trade’s black market also poses a security risk to everyone who lives or works in a prison,” Deen said.