Chair of Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) Jailed

Today (Tuesday 2 June 2026), at Liverpool Crown Court, a Chair of the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs) was sentenced to five years and three months imprisonment after pleading guilty to misconduct in a public office, conveying List A and B articles into a prison, and supplying a controlled drug.

Today (Tuesday 2 June 2026), at Liverpool Crown Court, a Chair of the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs) was sentenced to five years and three months imprisonment after pleading guilty to misconduct in a public office, conveying List A and B articles into a prison, and supplying a controlled drug.

The Independent Monitoring Boards provide objective oversight of how people are treated in prisons and immigration detention. IMB volunteers monitor conditions in prisons, Young Offender Institutions, and the Immigration Detention Estate across England and Wales on behalf of Ministers and the public.

Helen Spree, 63, of Hale Bank Avenue, Huyton had been an IMB member since April 2017.

HMP Liverpool launched an internal investigation after receiving corruption intelligence reports suggesting Spree was engaged in inappropriate relationships with serving prisoners and bringing contraband into the prison.

As part of their role, IMB volunteers are permitted unaccompanied access throughout the prison and can speak to prisoners freely. They hold their own keys and typically attend prisons several days each month. All volunteers undergo enhanced vetting and mandatory training on security and corruption risks.

On 2 June 2021, an iPhone was seized from a prisoner's cell. Analysis of the device revealed multiple calls to Spree, and further enquiries showed she had also made two £50 payments into another prisoner, Dylan Westall’s prison account.

A joint investigation was launched by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit’s Prison Anti‑Corruption Unit and HM Prison and Probation Service.

On 26 October 2021, Spree was arrested as she arrived at HMP Liverpool. During the arrest, officers noted a distinctive tattoo on her chest of a yellow and black bumblebee holding a red heart with the word “Masterpiece” beneath it. This tattoo later matched images and descriptions found in messages exchanged between Spree and the prisoners, helping investigators confirm her identity.

A search of her home recovered electronic devices including an iPhone, documents referencing Dylan Westall, photographs, thank you cards, and two pillows printed with his image.

Forensic examination of her iPhone uncovered evidence of inappropriate relationships between Spree and multiple prisoners, as well as arrangements to convey drugs, mobile phones, and other prohibited items into the prison. Messages also evidenced her meeting Dylan’s brother, Michael, who passed items to her for delivery into the prison.

In her messages with one of the prisoners, Spree referred to herself as “Deliveroo”, a term investigators believe related to her role in transporting contraband into the prison.

In another exchange, Spree wrote:

“Love you so much (PRISONERS NAME), sweet dreams. I will be thinking about you xxx”

The prisoner replied:

“Ok my love… can’t wait to see ya… goodnight h a love u xxx”

On passing the sentencing, Judge Flewitt KC said: ".., she was well aware of the risks involved in forming inappropriate relationships and she was not, in any way, coerced to act as she did. Her culpability, therefore, remains high."

Also appearing in court today were:

• Thomas Porterfield, 44, of Greenwich Avenue, Widnes and Dylan Westall, 35, both pleaded guilty to conveying List A and B articles into prison, conspiracy to supply a Class B drug, and unauthorised use of a mobile phone inside a prison. Westall was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, which will be added to his current sentence, and Porterfield was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and is reuqired to complete 300 hours of unpaid work. 
• Michael Westall, 28, of Manor Farm Road, Huyton, pleaded guilty to conveying List A and B articles into prison and conspiracy to supply a Class B drug. He was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months and is required to complete 180 hours of unpaid work, 
• A third prisoner, who can't be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to conveying List A and B articles into prison and unauthorised use of a mobile phone inside a prison. He was sentenced to two years and 10 months imprisonment.

Detective Superintendent Claire McGuire of the NWROCU said:

“Helen Spree’s behaviour was a calculated and sustained abuse of a position that exists solely to protect the welfare and rights of people in custody. IMB volunteers are entrusted with exceptional access so they can provide independent scrutiny on behalf of the public. Instead of upholding that responsibility, Spree chose to exploit it for personal and criminal gain.

“Her actions undermined the safety and stability of the prison, compromised the integrity of the IMB system, and betrayed the trust placed in her by colleagues and the public. The evidence uncovered showed a deliberate effort to facilitate criminal activity inside the prison.

“This investigation demonstrates our absolute commitment to rooting out corruption wherever it occurs. We will not hesitate to pursue anyone who abuses their access to prisons, whether they are staff, contractors, or volunteers. Working closely with HMPPS, we will continue to identify, investigate, and bring to justice those who threaten the security of our prisons and the safety of the people within them.”