A prison officer has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail after engaging in a scandalous relationship with an inmate. Charlotte Winstanley, 27, initiated a romantic involvement with Jabhari Blair, 30, shortly after commencing her employment at Lindholme Prison, located near Doncaster.
Winstanley was found to have illicitly smuggled prohibited items to Blair, including a mobile phone through which they exchanged explicit photos and videos. Sheffield Crown Court heard how the pair referred to Mondays as their “date nights” in discovered communications.
Prosecutor Aaron Dinnes presented explicit sexual messages between Winstanley and Blair, demonstrating the intimate nature of their relationship. Surveillance cameras captured moments of intimacy and them entering rooms together in the prison.
Blair expressed his anticipation of starting a family with Winstanley in messages, with the prison officer reciprocating by stating, “I’m literally praying to have your babies.” The prosecutor revealed that Winstanley facilitated Blair’s communication with the outside world, even providing links for items to be smuggled into the prison.
Despite being suspended from her role and Blair being transferred to another facility, Winstanley continued to interact with him through online meetings, maintaining the relationship for approximately three years. It was also disclosed that Winstanley shared sensitive information with Blair, including details on prisoner movements and health care, posing a serious threat as Blair was a member of a violent organized crime group serving a lengthy prison sentence.
