A prison watchdog chief was found to have inappropriate relationships with three inmates and possessed cushions at her residence featuring the face of a convicted murderer. Helen Spree, 63, was involved in smuggling drugs and phones into HMP Liverpool, where she held a position as the chair of the prison’s Independent Monitoring Board (IMB).
Describing herself as “the prison version of Deliveroo,” Spree committed these acts over a 20-month period until her arrest in August 2021. Prior to her involvement with the IMB, she had a successful career as a sales director for a global company and later transitioned into voluntary work with the IMB, responsible for monitoring prisoner conditions.
As the chairwoman of HMP Liverpool’s IMB, Spree had unrestricted access within the prison, even possessing her set of keys. She engaged in sexually explicit conversations with three inmates, including Dylan Westall, Thomas Porterfield, and another unnamed individual, as disclosed during her trial by prosecutor Andrew Scott.
Upon seizing her phone, investigators discovered sexually explicit content exchanged with the inmates, as well as two cushion covers featuring the face of Dylan Westall at her residence. Westall was imprisoned in 2019 for the killing of James Meadows.
Messages on her phone also revealed requests for cannabis and contraband from the inmates, leading to her self-identification as the “prison version of Deliveroo.” Spree, from Roby, Merseyside, admitted guilt to misconduct in a public office, conspiracy to supply cannabis, and conspiracy to convey prohibited items into prison during a previous hearing.
Her defense lawyer, Arthur Gibson, attributed her actions to a personal history of abuse and trauma, leading to low self-esteem and poor judgment. He emphasized that her criminal activities were not financially motivated but stemmed from emotional involvement with the inmates. Gibson assured the court that Spree’s actions were an aberration, and she would not engage in criminal behavior again.
Sentencing for Spree and her co-defendants, including Dylan Westall, Thomas Porterfield, and others involved in the conspiracy, is scheduled for Tuesday. Dylan Westall’s younger brother, Michael Westall, is also facing charges for his role in the drug and contraband smuggling scheme facilitated by Spree.