A former prison watchdog member appeared in court today accused of plotting to bring cannabis and phones into a jail.
Helen Spree, 61, was the chair of the independent monitoring board (IMB) at HMP Liverpool before her arrest for misconduct in public office and conspiring to convey prohibited articles into prison.
Liverpool Magistrates Court heard that between December 2, 2019 and August 26, 2021 while acting as chair of the IMB she also ‘engaged in inappropriate relationships with serving prisoners.’
She was charged alongside five men as part of a joint counter corruption investigation by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and the prison service.
IMBs are made up of volunteers tasked by ministers to report on whether the individuals held there are being treated fairly and humanely and whether prisoners are being given the support they need to turn their lives around.
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.
She is also accused of conspiring with others to bring cannabis into the prison and List B items, mobile phones, into the establishment and charged with conspiring to supply cannabis at the prison, all between the same dates.
Ms Spree was not asked to enter a plea as the offences can only be dealt with by the crown court and she was remanded on bail to appear at the higher court on February 18.
In separate hearings five men also appeared facing similar conspiracy charges and they were also further remanded to appear at the crown court on the same date.
Stephen Brookes, 37, of Longton Lane, Rainhill, who faces two charges; John Hughes, 30, of Page Moss Avenue, Huyton, and Thomas Porterfield, 42, of Greenwich Avenue, Widnes, who both face three conspiracy charges and possessing mobile phones in the prison.
As well as Michael Westall, 26, of Alt Bank House, Field Lane, Fazakerley, who faces three conspiracy charges, were all remanded on bail.
Dylan Westall, 34, of no fixed address, who faces three conspiracy charges and possessing mobile phones inside HMP Liverpool, was further remanded in custody.
Detective Inspector Tanya Kitchen, from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU), said previously during Ms Spree’s arrest: ‘We can confirm that following a joint investigation between Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service’s Counter Corruption Unit and NWROCU, a woman was arrested and temporarily suspended from duties.’