Home / Crime and Justice / Inmate Found Dead by Fellow Prisoners
Inmate Found Dead by Fellow Prisoners
31 Mar
Summary
- A father of two died in his Nottinghamshire jail cell.
- Three types of synthetic cannabinoid, known as Spice, were found.
- Fellow inmates alerted staff to the discovery of his body.
Mark Bates, a 32-year-old father of two, was found deceased in his cell at HMP Lowdham Grange on March 26, 2025. An inquest revealed that three different synthetic cannabinoids, also known as Spice, were present in his system, which the forensic pathologist identified as the likely cause of death. Fellow inmates alerted prison staff after discovering Bates unresponsive in his cell. The court was informed that Bates had a history of mental health problems and had been transferred to Lowdham Grange from HMP Forest Bank in June 2023. His family described him as a proud father who adored his two sons. He had reportedly experienced increased anxiety due to uncertainty about his parole release. Staff at Lowdham Grange are reportedly struggling with Spice, an 'endemic' and 'highly addictive' drug in prisons nationwide. They emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards drug use despite the challenges in preventing illicit substances from entering the facility.
