11
8
Four prison inmates were left in a zombie-like trance after being caught on camera appearing to smoke the former legal high Black Mamba.
The video, which was posted on Facebook, shows the men being told to smoke the potent substance and leave the fumes in their lungs for longer to achieve a more intense high.
Social media users were quick to accuse the prisoner behind the camera of ‘bullying’, after hearing him tell a fellow inmate he will take their ‘canteen’ – treats like sweets ordered from the prison shop – if the cigarette isn’t smoked quickly.
He first tells them to all stand up in the cell as they smoke the drug and shouts: 'Keep the burns in man, keep em in.'
Another man orders: 'Smoke it faster man, I paid for that s***.'
Then one minute 29 seconds in the first prisoner says: 'Smoke it faster or I'm taking your canteen…smoke that s*** quick.'
The men can be seen staggering around before the video ends with them standing like zombies to howls of laughter from the men who provided the drugs.
The Ministry of Justice told MailOnline the video was 'historical content' that they were looking to 'remove from social media'.
On Facebook, people reacted with horror at the scenes of bullying taking place behind bars.
Ann-Marie Hansen wrote: 'Full of bullies, stand up for yourselves!'
Diane Brannan said: 'They look like they're being bullied into smoking that dirty horrible s***, they don't look like they are enjoying it.'
Many people singled out the man apparently urging the group on from behind the camera, presumably a smuggled mobile phone, for particular criticism.
Toni Webb said: 'What a bully, he thinks he owns them all.'
Another wrote: 'F****** bully boy, try smoking it yourself.'
It is unclear in which UK prison the video was filmed.
Smuggled substances like Black Mamba and Spice are putting severe pressure on the prison system, with hundreds of inmates taking the drug leading to assaults and ambulance call-outs.
Prison officers have also been hospitalised after accidentally inhaling fumes.
Thirteen were recently struck down in one week at Category B Garth Prison in Leyland, Lancashire.
There were 58 Spice-linked jail deaths in the 30-month period to January last year, according to figures from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.
All formerly 'legal highs', including Spice and Black Mamba, were banned in 2016 with the passing of the Psychoactive Substances Act.