Female Prison Officer Jailed for Smuggling £100K of Drugs into HMP Forest Bank
Shocking Smuggling Scheme Uncovered
Farrah Jones, 28, a prison officer at HMP Forest Bank, has been sentenced to four years behind bars after being caught smuggling over £100,000 worth of drugs and phones into the prison. Colleagues grew suspicious and discovered two plastic-wrapped packages hidden in a toilet bin. Inside were yellow and white tablets plus cannabis resin.
Caught Red-Handed in Prison Reception
Jones, who worked for prison operator Geoamey, was spotted entering a prison reception toilet on November 30 last year. A search was triggered by her suspicious behaviour. A trustee prisoner asked to use the same toilet — hinting he might have been the drugs’ intended recipient.
Later, police found Jones sitting in her car with pal Steven Wimbleton. Officers smelt cannabis and uncovered a haul of drugs, multiple phones, chargers, a knife, and a loaded 9mm pistol bearing Wimbleton’s DNA.
Evidence and Guilty Plea
CCTV showed Jones sneaking drugs under her clothes, disguising them with a hot water bottle. She also tested positive for cocaine after her arrest. At her home, police found over £10,000 in cash stashed away. Wimbleton’s address yielded drug paraphernalia, a gun holster, nine burner phones, and numerous SIM cards.
At manchester-crown-court/" title="Manchester Crown Court" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Manchester Crown Court, prosecutor Henry Blackshaw revealed the drugs’ street value inside the prison was nearly £145,000. Jones admitted to multiple offences, including smuggling prohibited items, possession of a knife, and handling criminal property.
Judge Slams Jones’ ‘Gross Breach of Trust’
Defence lawyer Michael James said Jones had no prior convictions but had been pushed into crime by debt, past domestic abuse, and drug issues. He said she showed genuine remorse and regret.
Sentencing Jones to four years, Judge John Potter called her actions a “gross breach of trust” that put prison safety at risk. She will serve half her sentence at HMP Newhall.
Co-defendant Steven Wimbleton was handed five years for firearm possession and Class B drugs offences.
Proceeds of Crime Hearing Scheduled
A Proceeds of Crime hearing is set for November 12 to recover the illegal profits from Jones. This case shines a harsh light on corruption inside prisons and the ongoing battle to keep the system secure.
