Prison Officer Jailed for Secret Affair with Gangster Inmate in 'Worst Case'
A young prison officer described as 'infatuated' has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison after engaging in a secret sexual relationship with a convicted gangster inmate, in what a judge branded one of the worst cases of its kind.
Forbidden Romance at HMP Lindholme
Charlotte Winstanley, 27, began the illicit affair with inmate Jabhari Blair, 30, while working at HMP Lindholme in South Yorkshire. The court heard how their covert relationship spanned approximately three years, continuing even after Winstanley was suspended from her position.
Judge Jeremy Richardson, KC, the Recorder of Sheffield, stated at Sheffield Crown Court: 'Regrettably I have dealt with several cases of woman prison officers having intimate relationships with prisoners and occasionally taking in to the prison various prohibited items. All have been imprisoned. By some considerable margin this case is by far the worst with which I have had to deal. It is an exceptionally serious case of its kind.'
Explicit Messages and 'Date Nights'
The court was presented with explicit WhatsApp and Snapchat messages exchanged between the pair using a phone smuggled into the prison. In one exchange, Blair expressed his desire to give Winstanley a 'beautiful baby', to which she replied: 'I'm literally praying to have your baby.'
Judge Richardson noted: 'It is unnecessary for me to sully these sentencing remarks with the various intimate observations that were being made. What is important is that it was clear between the two of you that you were regarding Monday evenings as "date night".'
The couple established Monday evenings as their regular 'date night' within the prison grounds, where they would meet secretly. Winstanley was observed leading Blair into a locked office at the category-C prison, where they remained alone for three minutes on one occasion. On another instance, she arrived an hour early for work and took Blair into an office before her shift began, emerging 14 minutes later.
Smuggling Contraband and Sharing Confidential Information
Beyond the sexual relationship, Winstanley engaged in serious misconduct by smuggling prohibited items into the prison. Searches of her phone revealed Blair directing her to purchase SIM cards, SD cards, and other contraband, even pointing her to the Argos website to select items he wanted smuggled inside.
She also shared highly sensitive confidential information with Blair, including details about plans to transfer him to another prison, intelligence concerning other inmates' medical records, and information about a raid conducted on his cell. Winstanley even met with Blair's mother outside the prison to discuss these matters.
Continuing the Relationship After Suspension
After being suspended from the prison service in November 2022 following concerns about her conduct, Winstanley registered to visit Blair at HMP Ranby in Nottinghamshire. During a recorded video call, she told Blair she 'hoped' she was pregnant with his baby and professed her love for him.
She created a fake email account under the name 'Debbie Embleton' to maintain contact, sending graphic messages including: 'Just thinking about it - I miss it.' In another message she wrote: 'Every sacrifice I made I did it so I could be with you. I love my job but I love you more.'
Pattern of Similar Cases
Winstanley is the latest in a series of young female prison officers to be imprisoned for inappropriate relationships with inmates. The court heard how she spoke about her 'boyfriend' with fellow officer Morgan Farr Varney, who was herself jailed for 10 months last year after having a relationship with an inmate at HMP Lindholme.
Judge Richardson told Winstanley: 'Once a prison officer has succumbed to corruption, by any form of impropriety, it is a state of affairs from which it is bordering impossible to retreat. Here was not a case of a young woman facing a kaleidoscope of competing loyalties. It was a case of right and wrong. In your case, Winstanley, you chose the wrong path and knowingly did so. The corruption went from bad to worse and lasted for a protracted period.'
Background of the Inmate
Jabhari Blair, originally from Leeds, West Yorkshire, was serving a 12-and-a-half-year sentence for stabbing a man during a gang brawl in Bradford. He has previous convictions including robbery, violent disorder, wounding with intent, firearm possession and assaulting police officers.
Blair received an additional 13-month sentence after admitting possession of cannabis, a phone and a USB stick found in his cell. Both sentences were reduced to reflect delays in bringing the prosecution.
Admission of Guilt and Remorse
Winstanley, of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office and admitted sending a photograph from inside the prison. Her barrister, Khadim Al-Hassan, stated that she was 'deeply remorseful for her behaviour and her actions'.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about prison security and the vulnerability of some prison staff to manipulation by inmates, particularly in cases where inappropriate relationships develop behind bars.
