At least 15 prisoners in HMP Lewes treated in hospital after mass poisoning - with two in a life-threatening condition

Police are this afternoon investigating a mass poisoning at Lewes prison after inmates and officers became ill after attending a religious service.

It is believed at least 10 inmates are being treated with some in hospital after suddenly falling ill. Two are said to be in a life-threatening condition. 

The prison has been put into lockdown as the authorities investigate.

It is believed they all ate food prepared for the service.

It is not known if the food was prepared for a Catholic mass to commemorate Maundy Thursday.

A source at HMP Lewes said: 'They all got sick after going to a religious event at a chapel service with food at the end of it.

'A significant amount of staff and prisoners have been taken ill.

'It's either a case of food poisoning or spiking, but it's happened far too quickly for it just to be food poisoning.

'It sounds like food prepared in the kitchen has been spiked.'

Prisoners under the supervision of staff generally prepare food in prison.

'It wouldn't be unusual at festival times for staff to attend religious services and staff are encouraged to participate,' the prison source said.

The injured are being taken to a decontamination facility nearby.

Multiple ambulances on blue lights raced to the prison located in the south-east.

This afternoon a chemical incident van is parked up outside the prison gates with CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) branded on the side.

A green contamination tent can also be seen outside Eastbourne hospital where it is believed the inmates have been taken for treatment.

A sign outside reads that the hospital is closed due to a 'major incident'. 

A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service told The Argus: 'We can confirm we are attending an incident at HMP Lewes reported to us at approximately midday today, March 28.'

MailOnline has contacted the Ministry of Justice and Eastbourne hospital for comment.