Story perspectives

Liverpool Prison Board Chair Convicted of Cannabis Smuggling

6/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Helen Spree, Monitoring Board chair at HMP Liverpool, pleaded guilty to misconduct in office and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
She could move unescorted across the prison estate and kept her own keys.
Between early 2020 and August 2021 she smuggled cannabis, phones and other contraband for three inmates, including Dylan Westall and Thomas Porterfield.
Police found pillow covers with Westall’s face at her home, linking her to sexual-explicit messages with the prisoners.

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Story summary

Helen Spree, Monitoring Board chair at HMP Liverpool, pleaded guilty to misconduct in office and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
She could move unescorted across the prison estate and kept her own keys.
Between early 2020 and August 2021 she smuggled cannabis, phones and other contraband for three inmates, including Dylan Westall and Thomas Porterfield.
Police found pillow covers with Westall’s face at her home, linking her to sexual-explicit messages with the prisoners.