NWROCU welcome sentence of man and woman following misconduct investigation at HMP Berwyn, North Wales

Officers from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) are welcoming the sentencing of a former prison officer for misconduct in a public office today, Friday 26 April.

26-year-old Emily Watson from Linthwaite in Huddersfield was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Mold Crown Court after admitting misconduct in a public office while she was employed at HMP Berwyn in Wrexham, North Wales.

Watson engaged in a sexual relationship with a prisoner whilst employed at the prison. She has since been dismissed.

Today, prisoner 30-year-old John McGee was sentenced to 12 months in prison for possession of a phone and charger in prison in connection with this investigation. The sentence will run consecutively to his current sentence.

McGee is currently serving an eight-year prison sentence for causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop after a road accident, after a man and his dog died in a road traffic collision in Walton in 2015.

The judge also issued Forfeiture and Destruction Orders in relation to the mobile phones used by Watson and McGee.

Detective Inspector Dawn Hampson from NWROCU said: "Working alongside Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), we are absolutely committed to identifying and bringing to justice those who we suspect are involved in corruption within the prison service, including inappropriate relationships, bringing items into prisons and other misconduct matters.

“We know the vast majority of prison officers are dedicated professionals who carry out their duties with integrity. But today’s sentence is another positive step in tackling prison corruption in the North West and we will continue our efforts to bring offenders to justice.”