Prison officer among three sentenced for smuggling drugs into UK jails
Another two people were also given prison sentences for the crime
Last updated 4th Jun 2025
A prison officer is among three people who have been jailed for smuggling contraband - including drugs - into HMP Erlestoke in Wiltshire and other prisons in Buckinghamshire.
The convictions came after an investigation was held from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, together with the counter-corruption unit of HM Prisons and Probation Service.
Chelsea Kemp, a prison guard working at HMP Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, conspired with Haydon Flavell - an inmate at the prison to smuggle drugs and other contraband items into three prisons - HMP Woodhill, HMP Springhill and HMP Erlestoke.
According to the investigation, the incidents took place between September 2018 and June 2022, where Kemp, Flavell and accomplice Omar Windross worked together to breach prison security protocols and smuggle the prohibited items into the jail.
Kemp, from Torre Close in Bletchley was arrested in July 2021 on suspicion of the offence, but denied any wrongdoing. Searches of her home revealed a device where she communicated with Windross and Flavell.
For taking on the throwovers, Kemp received a number of significant payments - with one inmate paying her £11,000 in various transactions.
In November of 2024, all three suspects were called to court amid the ongoing investigation.
At Aylesbury Crown Court on Monday (June 2nd), Kemp was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of conspiring to convey a List 'A' prohibited article into a prison, and one count of misconduct in a public office.
Flavell, aged 26 and of North Ninth Street, Milton Keynes, was sentenced to four years and six months for the same charges.
Windross, also 26, who is of no fixed abode, was also given a prison sentence of three and a half years for conspiring to convey a List 'A' prohibited article into a prison.
Speaking on the verdict, the head of the SEROCU, Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Boniface, said that Kemp had a "total disregard" for the laws she was enforcing.
"She was organising drugs and contraband to be thrown into prisons for financial gain, and despite being arrested and released, continued to engage in the same activity," he said.
“Her conduct has betrayed public confidence and hindered HMPPS efforts to rehabilitate offenders, all whilst she was employed as a serving Prison Officer.
“I hope this sentence demonstrates that no one is exempt from the law, and that anyone attempting to organise the supply of drugs into HMP establishments will be identified and prosecuted.”