Investigation launched after two inmates die at HMP Ranby

Two inmates have died at HMP Ranby, a Category C training and resettlement prison near Retford in Nottinghamshire, according to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

Investigation and medical response

Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that an investigation has been launched following the deaths of two prisoners on Wednesday, 4 November. Detective Inspector James Oakton, of Nottinghamshire Police, stated, "We are working closely with the prison service to establish the circumstances surrounding these deaths, and a thorough investigation is under way."

An East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) spokesperson confirmed that the service attended HMP Ranby on both Tuesday and Wednesday. The Independent reported that four ambulances were seen at the site on Tuesday, while an air ambulance and three additional ambulance units were deployed on Wednesday morning.

One source claimed there had been up to 14 "code blues," which are alarms sounded by officers to signal a medical crisis such as a prisoner being found unconscious, not breathing, or experiencing a drug overdose. The Independent reported that prisoners were warned about a batch of contaminated spice, a synthetic form of cannabis, which is feared to be linked to the incidents.

Prison status and oversight

The Prison Service stated that the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate the deaths, adding, "As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate, and we will respond to its findings in due course."

Previous inspections have highlighted issues regarding drug use at the facility:

• In October last year, an inspection warned that the wide availability of drugs was a "considerable concern."
• During a full inspection in February 2025, HM Inspectorate of Prisons found that 23% of prisoners at Ranby tested positive for drugs and a quarter of prisoners said they had developed a drug or alcohol habit while serving their sentence.

Why it matters

The deaths have prompted a dual investigation by the police and the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatalities at the Nottinghamshire facility.

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Sources

• independent.co.uk: Prison in lockdown as ‘bad drugs batch’ kills two inmates in major incident | The Independent
• bbc.com: Police launch investigation after two inmates die in Nottinghamshire prison

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.