A prison officer who had relationships with multiple inmates has been jailed.
Investigations into Sarah Williams, 38, of Kingsway, Widnes, started in early 2020 when Altcourse prison received information that she was involved in relationships with multiple prisoners. Cell searches were later carried out and mobile phones were recovered, which found Williams had been communicating with inmates.
The investigation was referred to the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit's anti-corruption department, who arrested Williams at her home on July 8, 2020 for misconduct in a public office. On Thursday, December 21 Williams was jailed for 18 months at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty to three counts of Misconduct in Public Office, and one count of causing a computer to perform a function with intent to secure unauthorised access to data.
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The court heard she had inappropriate relationships with three serving prisoners. Connor Crawford, who is currently serving a sentence for possessing firearms with intent to endanger life, pleaded guilty to possession of a mobile phone in prison and was jailed on June 8 at Liverpool Crown Court for an additional six months.
Another inmate is due to appear in court next year.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris McClellan from the North-West Regional Organised Crime Unit said: “Relationships between prison staff and inmates greatly undermines and destabilises the prison regime. Sarah Williams became romantically involved with these prisoners just a short time after joining the prison service.
"Despite completing her initial training which included corruption prevention inputs, she continuously broke the law by starting multiple relationships with inmates, taking mobiles phones into prison, and for passing sensitive information onto these inmates that she had unlawfully obtained from prison IT systems.
“The overwhelming majority of prison staff carry out their duties to the highest standards, however the minority who do engage in inappropriate behaviour will be investigated and the appropriate action taken. We want to urge prison staff to be aware of any warning signs and to report any type of inappropriate behaviour so that we can take action to bring them to justice."
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