A prisoner in a Dorset prison may have died after drinking a batch of toxic alcohol whilst another almost died after having his throat slit.

An annual report into HMP Guys Marsh has revealed that a prisoner may have died after drinking a 'toxic concoction' and stated 'real concerns' about violence at the prison.

The report from the Independent Monitoring Board found that between December 1, 2021 and November 30 2022, staff were continually challenged by the brewing of illicit alcohol, also referred to as 'hooch'.

The inspection board said: "It is a matter of considerable regret that one death in custody may have been attributable to drinking a toxic hooch concoction."

Inspectors say that prisoners had been using toxic and dangerous chemicals such as hand sanitisers and cleaning fluids for making the alcohol.

The report also highlighted 'real concerns as to the safety of staff and prisoners'. One prisoner almost died after his throat was cut, only surviving thanks to the speedy intervention of the wing and medical staff.

It found that there were 205 incidents of prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, averaging 17.3 a month, spiking in August.

The report states that much of the violence was related to debt and bullying. It added that this was influenced by smuggled goods such as mobile phones, which were being thrown into the prison or lifted in using drones. Some 132 throw-overs were intercepted during the time period.

The report said: "There was considerable evidence of gang activity on the wings, which contributed to the issue of debt.

"Organised crime groups bombarded the establishment with throw overs and drone deliveries of drugs and mobile phones."

Staffing strains were also evident. The officer dealing with Covid-related staff absences believed HMP Guys Marsh ‘was holding its own compared to other areas’ but was aware that there was a haemorrhaging of staff ‘because you can make more at Tesco with zero risk.’

"The ability to provide a full and safe regime was compromised throughout the year by spikes in staff absenteeism. The high number of assaults on staff was of considerable concern," said the report.

The report did congratulate the prison for illicit item finds and drug rehabilitation work.