A member of a prison watchdog has been arrested on suspicion of smuggling drugs and mobile phones into HMP Liverpool, one of Britain's largest jails. The woman, who served on the prison's Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), was taken into custody as part of a joint investigation by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) and HM Prison and Probation Service's Counter Corruption Unit.
Police confirmed the arrest on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to convey prohibited articles into prison. The suspect has been questioned and released under investigation pending further inquiries. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) stated that the IMB member has been suspended pending the outcome of the police investigation, but declined to comment further.
IMBs are composed of volunteers appointed by ministers to scrutinise conditions in custody. Members have unrestricted access to prisons and inmates at any time, following a year-long induction and security training. They are subject to the same vetting and checks as prison staff, though the MoJ noted that references are not taken.
Detective Inspector Tanya Kitchen of NWROCU said: 'We will not tolerate corruption or the supply of illegal items to prisoners and will continue to work closely in partnership to ensure anyone who breaks the strict rules in place in our prisons is brought to justice.' She added that the majority of prison staff are 'hardworking, honest individuals' and that authorities are committed to removing the 'harmful minority'.
