Corrupt Prison Officer Jailed for Smuggling £35,000 of Drugs for Inmate Lover

A former prison officer, Olivia Johnson, has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in jail after being caught attempting to smuggle over £35,000 worth of drugs into HMP Highpoint for a serving inmate with whom she was romantically involved.

Johnson, 27, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was apprehended during a routine spot check at the Suffolk prison on September 23, 2022. Staff discovered dozens of sheets of paper soaked with Spice, a dangerous synthetic Class B drug, hidden on her person. The total street value of the confiscated drugs was estimated at a staggering £35,200, with each sheet valued at £400.

During her sentencing on Tuesday, Johnson pleaded guilty to the offense. The court heard how she had developed an "emotionally dependent" relationship with Javelle Taylor, a convicted gangster serving a 12-year sentence for firearms offenses. Detectives uncovered a trove of damning text messages on Johnson's black iPhone 13, found in her car's glovebox. These messages revealed flirtatious and affectionate exchanges, with Johnson repeatedly professing her love for Taylor. Crucially, the texts also contained clear references to the drug smuggling operation, with Johnson reassuring Taylor she would "figure out how I will get it through" and confirm when it was "where it needs to be."

Financial records further implicated Johnson, showing payments totaling £14,871 from Taylor's associates, suggesting a significant financial motive alongside her professed affection.

Recorder Richard Christie KC, in his sentencing remarks, condemned Johnson's actions, stating they "strike at the heart of the integrity of the criminal justice system." He emphasized the severe repercussions of such illicit activities within prisons, noting that drug and mobile phone trafficking "undermines the good order and discipline of the establishment, impacts on the health and safety of prisoners, staff and visitors." He added that it also "undermines rehabilitation of prisoners and supports ongoing criminality, both within the prison and external to the prison."

Johnson had been employed at HMP Highpoint for three years prior to her arrest. Her attempt to conceal the drugs by trying to divert to the lavatory during the spot check was noted by the judge. While Johnson claimed her actions were primarily driven by her relationship with Taylor, the pre-sentence report suggested financial gain was a more significant factor, a view the judge concurred with, stating it was "a bit of both." Johnson also reportedly told a probation officer that she was a "people pleaser" and that's why she didn't report the offences.

Jimmy Ogunshakin, defending, presented Johnson as a young woman, aged 22 at the time of the offense, who had "lost her way" in her first job and was too scared to speak out. He stated she was "very, very sorry" for her actions.

This case comes amidst a concerning trend of increasing corruption within the UK's prison system. A record number of female prison guards have been dismissed for inappropriate relationships with male inmates, with at least 30 being sacked in the past three years alone, highlighting a serious challenge for prison authorities in maintaining security and order.