Paul Newton, the former boss of Sheppey’s Swaleside jail, has been drafted in to sort out Birmingham Prison by Minister Rory Stewart.

He has 28 days to come up with an action plan.

Mr Stewart, who has taken back control of the jail from private firm G4S, said: “Drastic action is required to bring about the improvements we require.”

Mr Newton will be given 30 extra staff and the number of prisoners is being cut by 300 to 900.

He has spent 30 years in the prison service.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed an inmate had died at Swaleside on August 14.

Media reports suggested he was found unconscious after taking the drug spice.

The death was discovered three months after new governor Mark Icke appealed to prisoners to stop fighting in the Category B jail.