Prison Officer sentenced following targeted partnership operation into misconduct

Ellis Eyles, 24, has been sentenced yesterday (Thursday) at Durham Crown Court, for the role she played in liaising with a prisoner using an illicit mobile phone.

Enquiries showed that Eyles and prisoner, Mitchell Ingham, 25, had been conversing using the phone, including messages and even Face-Time calls.

However, thanks to a proactive cell search by HM Prison Deerbolt Anti-Corruption Officers in June 2023, the phone was recovered and a joint investigation with the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) was launched.

Eyles was arrested in July 2023 and subsequently charged with offences including misconduct in a public office and illicit communication.

Ingham was later charged with offences including possession of a mobile phone in prison and using the phone while behind bars.

Thanks to the dedication of the officers involved and the overwhelming amount of evidence gathered, both Eyles and Ingham pleaded guilty to the offences they were charged with.

Ingham was sentenced in January to a further nine months in prison for his part in the offences. He is already serving a life sentence for murder and must serve a minimum of 14 years behind bars.

Yesterday, Eyles, from Darlington, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment for her actions.

NEROCU Detective Sergeant Andy Davison, said: “This is just part of the continued work with our prison partners to address misconduct in prisons.

“This has been the result of a fantastic proactive operation to stamp out prison corruption and I want to thank everyone involved in this investigation – their hard work has secured a successful outcome at court.”

If you are aware of any form of criminal activity, or have concerns, please contact your local police and report it.

Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 111 555 or visit their website.