A prison watchdog chief involved in inappropriate relationships with inmates and smuggling contraband behind bars has been sentenced to jail time. Helen Spree, 63, engaged in a sexual affair with convicted killer Dylan Westall, 35, exchanging explicit messages and videos. She even possessed pillows with his image on them early into his life sentence for a fatal shooting.
Spree, who previously expressed affection for another prisoner, served on an independent monitoring board overseeing prisoner conditions. However, she admitted to misconduct in a public office, leading to a five-year and three-month sentence. She was granted significant authority within the prison system, enabling her to interact with inmates and move freely within the facility.
During her time as prison chairman, Spree developed inappropriate relationships with three inmates at HMP Liverpool, sharing sensitive information and aiding in the smuggling of prohibited items like mobile phones, cannabis, and rolling papers. She even obstructed Westall’s transfer and personally facilitated contraband delivery. The judge described her actions as premeditated and sophisticated, emphasizing her awareness of the risks involved.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC highlighted that Spree’s offenses were not sporadic but occurred consistently over an extended period. Despite potential manipulation by others, she willingly engaged in misconduct and demonstrated a level of awareness regarding her actions.