Prison employee fabricated threats to aid drug smuggling scheme

A prison employee attempted to bring drugs valued at over 250,000 into HMP Lindholme and fabricated threats to support a false claim of being under duress, a court has been told. Michala Stubbs, 40, who was employed in the prisons education department, was discovered with 500 grams of cocaine and ketamine during a staff search in October 2023.

Initially, Stubbs asserted that she had been pressured into the scheme due to threats against her children. However, phone investigations revealed that she had sent the threatening messages to herself.

Stubbs, who resides in The Crescent, Doncaster, admitted to possession with intent to supply both Class A and Class B drugs. She was sentenced to five years and two months in prison at Sheffield Crown Court last Thursday.

Detective Constable Scott Jarvis from South Yorkshire Police highlighted that criminal activity within prisons undermines rehabilitation efforts and endangers community safety. Stubbs betrayed the trust placed in her as a member of prison staff. She tried to cover up her actions, but the inconsistencies in her story were uncovered through a thorough investigation, he stated.

Det Con Jarvis emphasized that smuggling items into prisons poses serious risks to both staff and inmates and can provoke violence and unrest. He added, Prisons must remain free of criminal influence, and we are committed to ensuring that those responsible face the full consequences of their actions.

Author: Sophia Brooks