Former prison officer jailed for smuggling drugs into HMP Garth

Julia Watson, 61, of Cheetham Meadow, Leyland was sentenced to four months imprisonment after pleading guilty to Conveying Cannabis, Ketamine, Buprenorphine and Spice into HMP Garth.  

Watson was a staff member working in the prison’s waste management unit. She began her employment at HMP Garth in August 2015, was arrested in April 2024 and subsequently suspended from duty.

On 20 April 2024, officers from the Dedicated Search Team at HMP Garth conducted a targeted search of the A Wing servery area. Inside a commercial dishwasher, they discovered a white food tub containing two carrier bags filled with food items. Among these were five tins disguised as branded food products, which were found to contain synthetic cannabis (Spice), cannabis resin, tobacco, and ketamine.

CCTV footage and x-ray scanner images from the enhanced gate security area confirmed that the items matched those brought into the prison by Watson earlier that morning. Further CCTV showed Watson taking an unusual route through the prison and operating a waste management truck that stopped near A Wing before the items were discovered.

Following her arrest on 23 April 2024, a search of Watson’s home address led to the seizure of a mobile device, handwritten notes, cash, and other personal items. Forensic analysis of the seized tins and packaging identified a fingerprint belonging to Watson on one of the carrier bags containing the drugs.

Inspector Brian Morley from the NWROCU’s Prison Investigation Unit said:

“This case highlights the vigilance of HMPPS staff and the robust security measures in place to prevent the smuggling of drugs into our prisons.

“This operation has successfully exposed and dismantled a breach of trust that threatened the safety and integrity of HMP Garth. The prison value of the drugs Julia Watson brought into the prison is up to £95,000, and the presence of such substances fuels violence, debt, intimidation, and exploitation among prisoners.

“We remain committed to working with HMPPS and partner agencies to protect our institutions from criminal exploitation."