Monika Richards was also found to have been supplying a class C drug
Monika Richards, 46.(Image: South West Regional Organised Crime Unit)
A former prison officer who communicated with an inmate on a illicit mobile phone and supplied a class C drug outside the prison has been jailed.
Monika Richards, 46 and from Okehampton, was sentenced to 14 months behind bars after pleading guilty to misconduct in public office and being concerned in the supply of class C drugs.
South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) said that while Richards worked at HMP Exeter, she failed to inform the prison that a serving prisoner was in possession of an illicit mobile phone.
It was found she had been communicating with him on the device, which was a small mobile phone found hidden in the prisoner’s cell, including two-way contact via calls.
There was a second small mobile phone which was found hidden in his cell.
When Richards’ devices were examined by SWROCU officers, it was found that she was supplying a class C drug, namely diazepam, to associates outside the prison estate.
Richards appeared at Exeter Crown Court where she was sentenced to 14 months yesterday (Tuesday, May 5).
SWROCU Corruption Investigator PC Mark Paterson said: “Richards would have been fully aware of her duty to inform supervisors that a serving prisoner was in possession of a mobile phone and that she had been having phone contact with him.
“Illicit mobile phones in the hands of criminals allows them the opportunity to continue their criminality both inside the prison and in the community.
“Prison staff neglecting their duty by failing to report the existence of such phones can potentially lead to further serious crimes being committed and leave themselves open to manipulation and blackmail by prisoners.
“Richards further offended by supplying controlled drugs outside of the prison estate.
“Her actions fell far below what would be expected of a public servant in a position of trust.”
