Former prison officer jailed for having inappropriate relationships with inmates

Today (Thursday 21 December 2023) a prison officer from HMP Altcourse who had inappropriate relationships with three serving prisoners was jailed for 18 months at Liverpool Crown Court following a joint investigation between the NWROCUs Prison Anti-Corruption Unit, His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service’s Counter Corruption Unit, and HMP Altcourse.

Sarah Williams, 38, of Kingsway, Widnes pleaded guilty to three counts of Misconduct in Public Office, and one count of causing a computer to perform a function with intent to secure unauthorised access to data.

In early 2020, HMP Altcourse began an internal investigation after receiving information that Williams had become involved in relationships with multiple prisoners.  Consequently, cell searches were carried out and mobile phones were recovered which were later analysed and evidenced that Williams had been communicating with inmates.

The investigation was referred to NWROCU's Anti-Corruption Unit who arrested Williams at her home address on 8 July 2020 for misconduct in a public office. 

Connor Crawford, who is currently serving a sentence for possessing firearms with intent to endanger life, pleaded guilty to possession of a mobile phone in prison and was jailed on 8 June at Liverpool Crown Court for an additional six months.

Craig Steenson, who is serving a sentence for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs , also pleaded guilty to possession of a mobile phone in prison and was also jailed on 8 June at Liverpool Crown Court for an additional six months.

A third inmate is due to appear in court next year.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris McClellan from the North-West Regional Organised Crime Unit said:

“Relationships between prison staff and inmates greatly undermines and destabilises the prison regime. Olivia Williams became romantically involved with these prisoners just a short time after joining the prison service. Despite completing her initial training which included corruption prevention inputs, she continuously broke the law by starting multiple relationships with inmates, taking mobiles phones into prison, and for passing sensitive information onto these inmates that she had unlawfully obtained from prison IT systems.

“The overwhelming majority of prison staff carry out their duties to the highest standards, however the minority who do engage in inappropriate behaviour will be investigated and the appropriate action taken.”

“We want to urge prison staff to be aware of any warning signs and to report any type of inappropriate behaviour so that we can take action to bring them to justice."