Officer Jailed for Sexual Relationship with Prisoner
A prison officer described as "infatuated" who engaged in a "substantial sexual relationship" with an inmate at her workplace has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison.
Charlotte Winstanley, aged 27, smuggled various contraband items into HMP Lindholme, near Doncaster, for prisoner Jabhari Blair, 30. Among the items was a mobile phone used to exchange "explicit photos and videos" between them.
Sheffield Crown Court heard that Winstanley, from Coronation Road, Doncaster, sent messages to Blair including one stating:
"I love my job, but I love you more."
Blair, a former organised gang member sentenced in 2014 to 12 and a half years, received an additional 13-month sentence after admitting possession of cannabis, a prohibited phone, and a USB stick.
Winstanley pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office and transmitting a photograph from inside a prison.
Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, Recorder of Sheffield, characterized the case as the "worst" of its kind he had encountered.
Evidence of Relationship and Contraband
The court was informed that messages between Winstanley and Blair referred to Mondays as "date nights."
Prosecutor Aaron Dinnes explained that prison surveillance cameras captured "intimate moments" of the pair touching and entering rooms together.
Dinnes also cited a message from Blair expressing eagerness to start a family with Winstanley:
"Can't wait to give Miss Winstanley a beautiful baby."
Judge Richardson detailed Winstanley's employment history, noting she became an operational support officer at HMP Lindholme in October 2020 before advancing to prison officer and receiving anti-corruption training.
"Whilst working on J-Wing, you started a corrupt relationship with Blair,"
the judge stated, adding:
"You knew it was wrong and against all the training you'd received."
Despite suspicions, Winstanley continued the relationship unabated.
The court heard she was aware of Blair's serious criminal sentence, having taken a screenshot of a news article about it. She purchased SIM cards and smuggled them into the prison for him.
Judge Richardson emphasized the value of a phone in prison, noting its potential use for illegal activities.
The judge also referenced the explicit nature of their communications on WhatsApp and Snapchat, quoting messages such as:
"I'm literally praying to have your babies"
and
"Life starts now, baby. Every sacrifice I make I do so I can be with you."
He concluded:
"It is utterly clear that you both knew that what you were doing was unlawful and corrupt."
Additional Breaches and Relationships
Winstanley provided Blair with sensitive information, including prisoner movements, healthcare details of other inmates, and intelligence about an upcoming cell search.
Blair informed Winstanley that he had used his contacts within the prison to ensure her protection, stating someone was ready to "fight immediately if necessary."
The judge noted Winstanley had developed a close relationship with Blair's mother in Leeds, who was "clearly aware of the nature of the relationship." Winstanley also confided in colleague Morgan Farr Varney about her "boyfriend." Varney was previously jailed for 10 months for a similar relationship with an inmate at HMP Lindholme.
Defence and Court Remarks
During an earlier hearing, defence lawyer Khadim Al'Hassan stated Winstanley was only 22 when she began working at the prison and had limited prior relationship experience, having only one boyfriend at age 15.
He argued that Winstanley lacked the maturity and life experience required for a prison officer role, describing her employment as a "recipe for disaster."
The court was informed that Winstanley had created an email account under the false name Debbie Pendalton to deceive prison authorities. The pair exchanged explicit emails depicting sexual activities shown in videos and photos.
Judge Richardson described the case as:
"A very serious example of its kind."
He elaborated:
"It involves the personal corruption of a young prison officer involving sexual relations, intimacy and bringing contraband into a prison."
He added that once a prison officer succumbs to corruption, it is "impossible to retreat."
Sentencing Winstanley to two years and six months, the judge acknowledged the severity of imprisonment for her but stressed:
"You had chosen the wrong path."
He emphasized that corruption within prisons undermines good order and public confidence, making punishment and deterrence critically important.
