Prison staff supplied inmates with drugs, porn and phones – “whistleblower” claims

Wednesday 05 March 2014

Explosive claims that prison staff have escaped sanction for supplying drugs, porn and mobile phones to inmates at HMP La Moye have been made by an alleged whistleblower.

Deputy Montfort Tadier claims to have been contacted by a whistleblower at the prison about seven members of staff – prison officers, counsellors and civilian employees – who it's claimed had broken rules but either kept their jobs or been allowed to move to other jobs in the States.

An email from the alleged whistleblower claims that the seven had variously supplied drugs, phones and porn to inmates, had smuggled items out of the prison, or had improper relationships with prisoners.

Home Affairs Minister Ian Le Marquand says that he is taking the allegations seriously and is investigating, but he added that the claim by a former prison drugs counsellor that she had a sexual relationship with drugs baron Curtis Warren when he was locked up was extremely unlikely. Warren has also denied the account, through his lawyer.

Separately, Senator Le Marquand told the States that between 2007 and the start of this year there were 16 investigations of alleged gross misconduct at the prison. Those investigations ended in one officer being sacked, two being demoted, five receiving final written warnings, three being given written warnings and five quitting before the end of the disciplinary process.

The alleged whistleblower who contacted Deputy Tadier, claimed that morale was at a low point and made further serious allegations about the management regime. 

Senator Le Marquand said that these claims conflicted with the recent independent report into the prison, adding that without any specifics, details or evidence it was hard to take the suggestions seriously.

“This is an anonymous complaint and there is no detail,” he said.

“There was a recent independent Inspectors’ report on the Prison which was very positive and which did not raise any such concerns. Staff members and prisoners will both have had access to the Inspectors. Enquiries will be made but, subject to these, this final general allegation appears to seriously lack credibility.”