Former prison officer jailed for misconduct and drug supply offences at HM Young Offenders Institute in Aylesbury

A former prison officer has been jailed for misconduct and drug supply offences at HM Young Offenders Institute in Aylesbury.

In a hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court, on Friday 2nd November 2018, a 44 year old woman of Sandbanks Close in Hailsham, East Sussex pleaded guilty to :

• One count of misconduct in a public office.
• One count of supplying a controlled drug of class B.
• One count of possessing a controlled drug of class B.
• One count of bringing/throwing or conveying a list ‘A’ prohibited article into/out of a prison.

The offences all occurred between Sunday 1st January 2017 and Friday 2nd June 2017.

The 44 year old woman, who was a serving prison officer at HMYOI Aylesbury, brought drugs into the prison to a value of £10,000. She also leaked prison intelligence to prisoners, preventing them from being caught with drugs and phones.

The 44 year old woman was charged with all of the offences on Monday 10th September 2018 before entering her guilty plea on Friday 2nd November 2018. She was jailed for a total of six and a half years at the same hearing.

PC Maureen Moore of the Prison Investigation team, said: ‘[The 44 year old woman] knowingly brought drugs into the prison which causes danger and violence to both prisoners and officers alike.

Her conduct jeopardised the safe running of the wings.

The existence of corruption in prisons will always lead to an issue of order and control.

The presence of drugs in prison leads to violence, bullying, debt and prevents prisoners from addressing their substance misuse.

Her conduct severely compromised the safety of staff and visitors to the prison.

I hope that this lengthy sentence will act as a deterrent for others who might be engaging in illicit activity within the prison system.

A priority area for HMYOI Aylesbury is the management of offenders affected by gangs and violence, and [the 44 year old woman’s] leaking of prison information to gang members jeopardised this work and put vulnerable prisoners and members of staff at risk.‘

Prisons Minster Rory Stewart MP, said: ‘Corrupt and criminal activity like this undermines a whole prison and puts our hard working staff at risk.

I am grateful to the police for their efforts to stop her and pleased the court has handed down this significant sentence.‘