Two guards at a high-security prison in County Durham have been rushed to hospital after inhaling smuggled drugs "50 times stronger than heroin". 

Illicit drug fentanyl was hidden inside a prisoner's pen when it was accidentally inhaled by two prison officers at HMP Frankland, a new report has revealed. 

The two staff members were rushed to hospital after "becoming affected from the inhalation of fumes" while searching a prisoner's cell. 

The powerful synthetic opioid is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is believed to have caused more than 76,000 overdose deaths in the US in 2022, and has slowly been making its way to North East heroin markets. 

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said that the "crisis" of drug availability was inherited from the last government. Steps are being taken to preventing illicit items from entering prison.

The Independent Monitoring Board's (IMB) annual report at HMP Frankland, located in Brasside, wrote: "In one incident, two members of staff had to attend outside hospital after becoming affected from the inhalation of fumes whilst searching a prisoner’s cell.

"The inside of a pen located in his locker was tested and came back positive for fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.

"This is a new drug entering the prison."

Investigators from the IMB also noted that paper impregnated with drugs was being sneaked into the category A prison, with innocuous letters being used to get substances past guards.

Inside the Frankland estate, these pieces of paper can sell for as much as £150 or more for just a single sheet.

Prison guards have discovered pieces of mail that were being used to smuggle drug-laced paper into the establishment, but it is thought criminals may be using other avenues. 

Sniffer dogs are used frequently by the prison to prevent visitors from smuggling illicit substances - "particularly in relation to when children are visiting". 

The report detailed that "the issue of availability [of drugs] is still a major concern."

Elsewhere, the report noted that staff at HMP Frankland were "compromised by the outdated CCTV provision," which leads to "blind spots" around the compound.

But since the report, work has been undertaken to improve HMP Frankland's security, like upgrading CCTV and strengthening drug monitoring strategies. 

The report also praised HMP Frankland in some areas - such as its large variety of support groups, improved keyworker involvement, and "enjoyable and beneficial" use of the exercise yards. 

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The inclusive range of faith and pastoral support, such as holding a pagan celebration for the summer solstice, was also commended. 

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: “The availability of drugs in prison is yet another sign of the prisons crisis the new Government inherited.

“We are bringing the crisis under control by ensuring that security measures like X-ray body scanners and restricted fly zones for drones are used to stop illicit items from entering prison.”