The former chair of a prison watchdog had inappropriate relationships with three inmates and smuggled in drugs and other banned items, a court has heard.
Abuse of Trust
Helen Spree, 63, was responsible for ensuring prisoners were treated in a 'just' and 'humane' manner in her role as head of the independent monitoring board at Walton jail in Liverpool. She was entitled to carry her own set of prison keys and visit inmates at any time as part of the voluntary position. Instead, the former sales director abused her trusted role by ferrying in so many packages that she described herself as 'the prison version of Deliveroo', Liverpool Crown Court heard today.
Inappropriate Relationships
Spree swapped explicit messages and images and shared sensitive operational information with inmates, including a convicted killer. The mother-of-one became involved in inappropriate relationships with Thomas Porterfield, 44, Dylan Westall, 35, and a third man who cannot be named for legal reasons. Westall was serving a life sentence for the manslaughter of 17-year-old James Meadows, who was a pillion passenger on a bike in Huyton, Merseyside, when he was shot in 2017. Spree and the unnamed inmate later declared their 'love' for each other.
Details of the Offences
Andrew Scott, prosecuting, said Spree telephoned, FaceTimed and messaged the men between December 2019 and August 2021. The calls included 'social messaging about what was going on in the lives of prisoners and sexually explicit messages' as well as details about prison searches and prison officer disciplinary matters, including those that had been referred to police. Messages also contained 'criticism of the criminal justice system' and requests for Spree to bring mobile phones and cannabis into the prison. 'So frequent were the deliveries that Ms Spree described herself as the prison version of Deliveroo,' Mr Scott said.
An investigation was launched after 78 reports were received that Spree had become 'over-familiar' with some prisoners, was having inappropriate contact with them, and was conveying articles into prison. She was arrested in August 2021 as she visited the prison, and her diary and mobile phone were seized. A forensic search of the phone revealed how she had been in contact with Porterfield, Westall, and another inmate. Her home was also searched, and pillows embossed with Westall's face were recovered.
Smuggling Operation
The court heard how Spree had ferried in phones, phone chargers, tobacco and cigarette papers for the three prisoners with the help of Westall's brother Michael Westall, 28. She had also paid two deposits of £100 into Dylan Westall's prison account. During her relationship with a third inmate, they engaged in sexually explicit chat before 'confessing their love for each other'.
Charges and Sentencing
Spree, of Roby, Merseyside, has admitted misconduct in a public office, six counts of conspiracy to convey list A and B articles, namely cannabis and mobile phones, into a prison and three charges of conspiracy to supply cannabis. Porterfield, of Widnes, has admitted conspiracy to convey list A and B articles into a prison, conspiracy to supply cannabis and unauthorised possession of a mobile phone in prison. Dylan Westall, who is currently serving a minimum of 22 years, previously pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to convey list A and B articles into a prison, conspiracy to supply cannabis and unauthorised possession of a mobile phone in prison. Michael Westall, of Fazakerley, Liverpool, admitted six counts of conspiracy to convey list A and B articles into a prison and conspiracy to supply cannabis. The man who cannot be named was found guilty of conspiracy to convey list A and B articles into a prison following a trial. All will be sentenced on Tuesday.
Role of Independent Monitoring Boards
Every prison in England and Wales has an independent monitoring board (IMB). They are staffed by volunteers and work with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to monitor the treatment of inmates 'to confirm it is fair, just and humane' and assess the range and adequacy of programmes preparing them for release. They have unrestricted access to jails and inmates at any time after undergoing a year-long induction and security training. Members are subject to the same vetting and checks as prison staff, but references are not taken, according to the MoJ. Spree became a member of HMP Liverpool's IMB in 2017 and was appointed chair at the start of 2021.
