Prison guard and prisoner confess to romantic involvement

A prison officer and an inmate involved in a personal relationship have both admitted to misconduct offenses. Alicia Novas, aged 19, and 30-year-old Declan Winkless pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court after she gave her phone number to the prisoner and failed to report his possession of a mobile phone and cannabis.

The pair acknowledged committing misconduct in public office between August and December 2024 at HMP Five Wells in Northamptonshire. Additionally, they admitted to a separate misconduct charge from 23 November last year. Sentencing is scheduled for 5 January.

Novas appeared in court wearing a black outfit and glasses, while Winkless joined the proceedings via video link from HMP Swaleside in Kent. The court was told that Novas, in her role as a prison custody officer, "deliberately acted in a manner that abused the public's trust." Winkless allegedly facilitated and encouraged both offenses.

Both defendants admitted to illegally transmitting an image or sound from inside the prison, smuggling cannabis into HMP Five Wells, and bringing in two mobile phones to the Category C facility near Wellingborough. They also admitted unauthorized electronic transmissions of images connected to HMP Peterborough between December 2024 and March 2025.

Winkless, formerly from South Wigston, Leicestershire, additionally pleaded guilty to possessing a device with a SIM card without authorization at HMP Five Wells on 22 December. The prosecutor did not present the full facts of the case during the brief hearing.

Both Novas and Winkless confirmed their identities and entered guilty pleas. Novas, from Raunds, Northamptonshire, who had previously been on conditional bail, was remanded into custody after entering her plea. Observers in the public gallery were visibly emotional during the hearing.

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Commentary: Breach of Trust in Prison System

The recent case involving Alicia Novas, a 19-year-old prison officer, and Declan Winkless, a 30-year-old inmate, highlights a disturbing breach of trust within the UK's prison system. Both have admitted to misconduct offenses after engaging in a personal relationship that led to serious criminal acts within HMP Five Wells. This case raises important questions about security protocols in correctional facilities and the integrity of those tasked with maintaining order.

Novas, employed as a prison custody officer, was responsible for safeguarding the public and upholding the law. Instead, she knowingly facilitated criminal activities, including the smuggling of cannabis and mobile phones into the prison. By failing to report Winkless' illegal possession of a mobile phone, she not only violated her professional duties but also put the safety of both staff and inmates at risk.

The involvement of Winkless, who played a central role in encouraging and facilitating the misconduct, further complicates the issue. His ability to smuggle contraband into the facility and communicate unlawfully with others exposes serious gaps in security and control at HMP Five Wells. Both defendants’ actions reflect poorly on the integrity of the prison system, calling into question how such breaches were allowed to occur unnoticed for several months.

While the court will decide their sentences in January, the implications of their actions are far-reaching. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by correctional facilities in ensuring staff compliance and maintaining secure environments. The consequences for Novas and Winkless are yet to be determined, but their actions have already cast a shadow over the credibility of HMP Five Wells and potentially other similar institutions.

Sources:

• Prison officer and inmate admit to relationship