A prison officer who ended up behind bars for smuggling drugs to lags says new guards need more help.
Lee Davies pocketed £400 a time for sneaking cannabis and mobiles into his jail-issue trousers after he was groomed by cons.
But he found himself in a cell when colleagues caught him.
Lee, 40, said: “I shouldn’t have done what I did but if we’re looking at protecting people there’s got to be more training.
“Looking at the big problems in UK jails of corruption and drugs, surely more time should be dedicated to corruption.”
Lee has turned his life around and trained as an electrician since he was locked up in 2010.
He said: “I’ve seen what it’s taken away from me. Doing that one thing for 400 quid may have cost me 12 years and my family, just for what?
“There’s no excuse for what I did, but I have deep sympathy for people working in that environment.”
Hundreds of prison officers have been sacked for misconduct since Lee was caught out. Sources believe bent warders are among the biggest routes into prison for drugs and illegal phones.
Their salaries begin at £22,850 and Lee explained: “If someone offers them £400 quid, that’s more than their wage.
“I know it’s not right but people are always going to be susceptible to that.”
The former youth footballer for Preston North End joined the Prison Service aged 27 and worked at Lancaster Farms young offenders institution.
He first agreed to smuggle a package for an inmate whose dad was sick. Despite saying it was a one-off he carried on doing it.
He was caught after a year and spent another 12 months on bail, struggling with alcohol and cocaine abuse. He pleaded guilty and was sent to HMP Shrewsbury.
At first Lee worried how other inmates would treat him – especially after his case was in prison mag Inside Time and his photo published. But despite the hardship of doing time he said: “I found myself struggling more coming out.”
On release in 2012 after serving half his four-year sentence, he retrained but has been refused jobs because of his conviction.
Lee tried to take his own life then got help from Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous. He now helps others. “It’s all about protecting the young ones for me now”, he said.
His story came as the prison watchdog warned last week that the pandemic had exacerbated “unacceptable conditions” in jails.
The Prison Service said: “The vast majority of officers are hardworking and dedicated. We are investing millions to beef up security, support staff vulnerable to blackmail or bribery and crack down on the small minority who decide to turn criminal.”
Watch Lee’s interview with Neil Samworth on the Real Porridge Podcast HERE.
