A prison officer has been jailed after pleading guilty to smuggling drugs into a Lancashire prison.
Julia Watson, 61, of Cheetham Meadow in Leyland, was sentenced to four months in jail after pleading guilty to smuggling cannabis, ketamine, buprenorphine and spice into HMP Garth.
Watson worked in the prison’s waste management unit and began employment at HMP Garth in August 2015 before being arrested in April 2024 and suspended from duty.
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A targeted search of HMP Garth’s A Wing servery area took place on 20 April 2024. That search uncovered a white food tub containing two carrier bags filled with food.
But among the food was five tins disguised as good products which were found to contain spice, cannabis resin, tobacco and ketamine.
Investigations of CCTV footage and the x-ray scanners from the security gate at the site found that the items matched those Watson had brought into the prison on the same day.
She was also seen taking an unusual route through the prison before the items were discovered.
A search of Watson’s home address led to the seizure of a mobile device, handwritten notes, cash, and other personal items. Forensic analysis of the seized tins and packaging identified a fingerprint belonging to Watson on one of the carrier bags containing the drugs.
Inspector Brian Morley, from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit’s Prison Investigation Unit, said: “This case highlights the vigilance of HMPPS staff and the robust security measures in place to prevent the smuggling of drugs into our prisons.
“This operation has successfully exposed and dismantled a breach of trust that threatened the safety and integrity of HMP Garth. The prison value of the drugs Julia Watson brought into the prison is up to £95,000, and the presence of such substances fuels violence, debt, intimidation, and exploitation among prisoners.
“We remain committed to working with HMPPS and partner agencies to protect our institutions from criminal exploitation.”
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