A 27-year-old prison officer has admitted forming a "romantic" relationship with a convicted inmate and faces sentencing on Dec. 3 after pleading guilty to misconduct in public office and related offences.
Charlotte Winstanley admitted at Sheffield Crown Court that she had a relationship with 29-year-old prisoner Jabhari Blair while posted at HMP Lindholme in South Yorkshire. The court heard the relationship lasted about three and a half months between August and November 2022 and that Winstanley smuggled contraband into the jail, including a mobile phone and SD cards. She also pleaded guilty to sending a photograph from inside a Category C prison in April 2023 and to conspiring to smuggle SD cards in October 2022.
Blair, who joined the hearing by video link from Lowdham Grange prison near Nottingham, admitted possessing cannabis, a mobile phone and a USB stick. Blair, jailed in 2014 for his role in a violent mass brawl in Bradford that involved a stabbing, is serving a sentence of more than 12 years. Prosecutors told the court he had been nearing a parole hearing before the new offences emerged.
Judge Megan Rhys told both defendants that, because they had pleaded guilty, they must be sentenced and scheduled the hearing for Dec. 3. When the judge informed Blair of the sentencing date, he responded, "Thanks for the birthday present," the court was told. Winstanley was granted conditional bail until her sentence and was admonished to return to court on time, the judge said.
Winstanley's barrister, Khadim Al-Hassan, told the court she had admitted the offences "on the full facts" and had not sought to minimise her role. "She's made a full and frank disclosure," he said.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Winstanley arrived at the hearing clutching a prison bag and did not seek to contest the allegations, the court heard.
The case highlights broader concerns within the prison service about staff relationships with inmates. At least 30 female prison officers have been dismissed in the past three years for forming improper relationships with prisoners, according to figures disclosed in court reporting; that compares with nine dismissals for the same offence between 2017 and 2019. Earlier this year, 24-year-old former officer Morgan Farr Varney was jailed for 10 months after an illicit relationship with a prisoner at HMP Lindholme.
The prosecution and defence gave timelines and particulars of the contraband admitted in court, and the sentencing hearing is expected to consider the extent of Winstanley's role in facilitating communications and items brought into the prison. Sentencing will determine whether Winstanley receives immediate custody or other penalties, and judges will also consider Blair's existing sentence and any impact on parole eligibility.
Both defendants entered their guilty pleas in the recent hearing at Sheffield Crown Court and will return on Dec. 3 for sentence.