A young prison officer is facing up to a decade behind bars after admitting to an illicit affair with a violent criminal serving time for a brutal street stabbing.
Charlotte Winstanley, 27, had a “romantic relationship” with convicted thug Jabhari Blair, 29, during her time working at HMP Lindholme in South Yorkshire. The shamed former guard smuggled contraband including a mobile phone and SD cards into the Category C prison during their three-and-a-half month fling.
Sheffield Crown Court heard that Winstanley’s crimes, which occurred between August and November 2022, carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The case highlights a disturbing trend that has seen at least 30 female prison officers sacked in the past three years for forming improper relationships with inmates.
Violent Criminal’s Background
Blair was serving more than 12 years behind bars after being jailed in 2014 for his role in a brutal street brawl in Bradford, West Yorkshire. He was just 18 when he stabbed a man during the mass violence, which the sentencing judge at the time described as “disgusting and sickening” public disorder.
The inmate, formerly of Rookwood Vale, Leeds, had been nearing a parole hearing that could have paved the way for his release when the affair with Winstanley began. His involvement in the illicit relationship has now likely destroyed any chance of early release.
Court Admissions
Winstanley appeared at Sheffield Crown Court where she admitted misconduct in public office by having a “romantic relation with a prisoner”. She also pleaded guilty to sending a photograph from inside the prison in April last year.
The disgraced officer arrived at court clutching a prison bag, suggesting she may be preparing for her own time behind bars. Her barrister, Khadim Al-Hassan, told the court she admitted the offences on the “full facts” and did not seek to “minimise her role”.
“She’s made a full and frank disclosure,” Mr Al-Hassan stated.
Blair joined the hearing via video link from Lowdham Grange prison near Nottingham, where he admitted possessing cannabis, a phone and a USB stick. When told he would be sentenced on December 3, his 30th birthday, Blair responded with dark humour: “Thanks for the birthday present.”
Bail Until Sentencing
Judge Megan Rhys granted Winstanley, of Stainforth, South Yorkshire, bail until the sentencing date but warned her of the consequences of failing to appear.
“Charlotte Winstanley, you can remain on bail as same terms as before but make sure you’re back in good time for sentence on December 3,” the judge said. “A failure to do so may lead to your arrest.”
Growing Problem in Prison Service
Winstanley’s case is far from isolated, with the prison service facing an epidemic of inappropriate relationships between female officers and inmates. At least 30 female prison guards have been sacked in the past three years for forming improper relationships with prisoners, compared to just nine women who lost their jobs for the same offence between 2017 and 2019.
The dramatic increase represents more than a three-fold rise in such incidents, raising serious questions about recruitment, training and supervision within the prison service.
Recent Similar Case at Same Prison
HMP Lindholme has been at the centre of multiple scandals involving prison officers and inmates. Just months before Winstanley’s arrest, another young female officer from the same prison was jailed for a similar offence.
Morgan Farr Varney, 24, was sentenced to 10 months in prison in May after being caught having an illicit relationship with Jordan Stones, 30, a crack cocaine dealer serving a five-and-a-half year sentence. Farr Varney was discovered slipping into a cupboard with the inmate.
When interviewed by police, Farr Varney, also from Stainforth, admitted she had “proper fallen in love with him” and acknowledged she had “f****ed her life up. Her case serves as a stark warning to Winstanley about the potential consequences she faces.
Security Implications
The smuggling of mobile phones and other contraband into prisons poses serious security risks, allowing inmates to continue criminal activities from behind bars, intimidate witnesses, and coordinate illegal operations on the outside.
Prison officers who facilitate such breaches not only betray their professional oath but also endanger the safety of other staff, inmates, and the public. The presence of unauthorised mobile phones in prisons has been linked to organised crime, drug dealing, and even contract killings ordered from within prison walls.
Professional Betrayal
Prison officers hold positions of significant trust and authority, responsible for maintaining security and order within correctional facilities. They undergo extensive training and background checks before being entrusted with these responsibilities.
When officers like Winstanley abuse their position to form romantic relationships with inmates, they undermine the entire justice system and make the difficult job of their honest colleagues even harder. Such betrayals also damage public confidence in the prison service at a time when it faces numerous challenges including overcrowding and understaffing.
Awaiting Sentence
Both Winstanley and Blair will be sentenced on December 3, when the full extent of their crimes will be laid bare and appropriate punishments determined. Winstanley faces the possibility of spending up to a decade in the very type of institution where she once worked as a guard, a ironic reversal of fortune that underscores the severity of her breach of trust.
The case serves as yet another warning to prison officers about the severe consequences of crossing professional boundaries with inmates, regardless of any perceived romantic feelings. As the prison service grapples with this growing problem, questions remain about what systemic changes are needed to prevent further incidents.
Judge Rhys told the pair: “Jabhari Blair and Charlotte Winstanley, you’ve pleaded guilty to acceptable counts on the indictment. You will therefore need to be sentenced.”
The outcome of their sentencing will be closely watched by the prison service and may influence how similar cases are handled in the future.
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