A prison watchdog leader was found to have engaged in inappropriate relationships with three inmates and possessed cushions with the face of a convicted murderer at her residence. Helen Spree, 63, was involved in smuggling drugs and phones into HMP Liverpool while serving as the chair of the prison’s Independent Monitoring Board (IMB).
Describing herself as “the prison version of Deliveroo,” Spree committed these offenses over a 20-month span until her arrest in August 2021, as revealed in court proceedings. Former business executive Spree transitioned from a successful sales director role to volunteering as an IMB member, eventually becoming the chairwoman of HMP Liverpool’s IMB, granting her unrestricted access within the facility.
During her trial, it was disclosed that Spree engaged in sexually explicit conversations with three inmates, including Dylan Westall and Thomas Porterfield, exchanging illicit content and maintaining close contact. Investigations uncovered requests for contraband items and cannabis from the prisoners in her phone messages, leading to her comparison as the “prison version of Deliveroo.”
Spree, hailing from Roby, Merseyside, admitted guilt to several charges, including misconduct in a public office and conspiracies related to drug supply and conveying prohibited items into the prison. Her defense attorney, Arthur Gibson, attributed her actions to personal trauma and a history of abuse, emphasizing her susceptibility to manipulation and low self-esteem.
Gibson assured the court that Spree’s criminal behavior was an anomaly and that she will not engage in such activities in the future. Sentencing for Spree and her co-defendants is scheduled for Tuesday, with Dylan Westall, Porterfield, and another inmate pleading guilty to related charges. Additionally, Westall’s younger brother, Michael Westall, will face sentencing for his involvement in the smuggling operation facilitated by Spree.
