Prison officer jailed after sneaking erotica into HMP Isis for younger offenders
A prison officer was caught joining in with a behind bars gang to sneak in contraband
The entrance to HMP YOI Isis
A corrupt prison officer has been jailed after he was caught sneaking in contraband and porn to young offenders behind bars. A gang has been jailed after teaming up with the unnamed screw to smuggle drugs, mobile phones, and USB sticks containing pornography into HMP Isis.
The officer, who has not been named by the Ministry of Justice, was suspended by the Prison Service in February 2024, after allegations came to light. The 34-year-old man was jailed for four years and six months at Snaresbrook Crown Court after admitting he acted as the link between the gang and prisoners.
Five prisoners have also been jailed whilst another awaits sentencing. Stephen Forde, deputy governor at Isis, said the vast majority of prison staff were “honest, professional and hardworking”.
He added: “Those who choose corruption put staff and prisoners at risk and damage public trust.” Eight men and the former officer are believed to have been responsible for 18 package drop-offs between February and July 2024.
The former officer pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison and misconduct in a public office. The ringleader inside prison was a 26-year-old, while his 28-year-old brother on the outside was also involved.
The pair prepared an “industrial” number of USB sticks loaded with Xbox games, TV programmes, and pornography for prisoners – with some produced to order. They also paid the officer between £400 and £600 for each package smuggled in.
Other Inmates played a “significant role” in the conspiracy and were principally dealing cannabis. Contraband was brought in via supervised visits arranged through the official prison booking system.
The gang used coded language and slang to avoid detection, as footage from inside the prison captured the exchanges, including a moment when the ex-officer, in a panic, discarded items in a staff toilet.
On 13 March 2024, officers intercepted a package containing cannabis resin before carrying out 11 simultaneous arrests across London to round up the group, the court heard.
