Multiple ambulances were called to HMP Rochester after several inmates were taken ill – a witness said men were ‘dropping like flies’
Eight ambulances rushed to a prison after a number of inmates were suddenly taken ill yesterday.
Medics attended HMP Rochester, a Young Offenders Institution in Kent that houses over 18s, after guards called 999. The prisoners were treated on site and an investigation has been launched.
A prison service spokesperson said: “A number of prisoners were taken ill following an incident at HMP Rochester on January 22. Emergency services attended and treated the prisoners on site. There is an ongoing investigation, and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”
A witness told KentOnline that men were “dropping like flies” and claimed eight ambulances were dispatched to the prison.
It comes as officials vowed to made improvements in reducing violence and self-harm after an “extremely challenging” year which included issue with vermin. The jail had squalid conditions, decrepit buildings and widespread illicit drug-use, inspectors said.
A report, released in the summer, stated violence peaked in August 2024, when 29 incidents were reported, but has since declined to 12 incidents in March 2025.
An IMB Rochester spokesperson said: “This reporting year has been exceptionally challenging for HMP Rochester. Progress is being made due to the commendable flexibility shown by all working at the prison, but there is still some way to go before things settle down.”
A spokesperson for the MoJ said: “We have worked hard to improve HMP Rochester and are pleased the report recognises the prison’s success in addressing concerns around safety, with reducing levels of violence and self-harm.
“We recognise that more needs to be done to reduce the availability of drugs and action has been taken to disrupt their supply including an upgraded CCTV system and new cell windows to stop drugs getting in.”
