A worker from Walton Prison was arrested yesterday after drugs that were to be destined for the prison were found.
At approximately 11am yesterday morning a 30-year-old man from Bootle was was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs and misconduct in a public office.
Security Governor for the prison, James Winrow, admitted that the prison does have a problem with corrupt officers however he plans to tackle the “small number of individuals”.
In a statement he said “The prison service as a whole and staff here at HMP Liverpool view corruption amongst staff as one of the most serious threats the prison service faces.
“And despite the fact the vast majority of staff are professional, hardworking officers, we do have a small number of individuals who believe that it is okay to convey drugs into a prison, putting the health and safety of staff and inmates at risk.
The man was arrested as part of a joint operation between HMP Liverpool, NWAST and Titan’s Prison Anti-Corruption unit.
Two addresses in Bootle and Southport were searched as part of the operation and a large quantity of cash and drugs were found.
Detective Sergeant John Davies from Titans’s Prison Investigation Unit said: “The North West ROCU will continue to do everything we can to identify the staff in North West prisons that are believed to be corrupt and prevent them brining in contraband.
“This arrest comes as part of a long term strategy to reduce the amount of corruption within the North West.
“The drugs recovered today were destined for HMP Liverpool, if they had been smuggled into the prison would have had a detrimental effect on the lives of the vulnerable inmates and hardworking staff within the prison.”
The member of staff was taken to a station for questioning.