Leanne Butcher, a 31-year-old mother, narrowly avoided jail after engaging in inappropriate behavior with two notorious inmates at HMP Swinfen Hall in Lichfield. Butcher, who worked as a student support officer in the education delivery department, developed ‘intimate’ relationships with convicted killer Junior Lukelo-Mami and robber Tariq Dervan. Their interactions were discovered when Butcher confided in her line manager and her phone was seized.
Butcher pleaded guilty to three counts of misconduct in a public office and was handed a two-year community order instead of a prison sentence due to ‘exceptional circumstances’. Despite her tears in court, Judge Kerry Maylin emphasized that Butcher was fully aware of her responsibilities and the level of trust placed in her. She was ordered to carry out rehabilitation activities and unpaid work as part of her sentence.
The court heard details of Butcher’s conversations with the inmates, which included discussions about their relationship, future plans, and intimate exchanges. Butcher even used the prison computer system to find out if Lukelo-Mami was facing deportation. Additionally, she had over 400 contacts with Dervan, who had previously been at HMP Swinfen Hall before being transferred.
Dervan, who has a history of dangerous offenses, including robbery and weapons possession, managed to obtain an iPhone 6 in prison to communicate with Butcher and others. Despite his criminal past, his defense lawyer highlighted his steps towards rehabilitation while in custody and described him as ‘plainly immature’ during his involvement with Butcher.
Butcher’s defense argued for leniency based on her mental health difficulties, lack of formal qualifications, and inadequate training for the job. Her lawyer emphasized that Butcher’s actions were not as severe as other recent incidents of inappropriate behavior in prisons. Judge Maylin acknowledged the shortcomings in Butcher’s training but stressed that she knowingly disregarded the rules by engaging with the inmates.
The judge warned Butcher to take advantage of the opportunity given to her through the community order and rehabilitation activities. Failure to comply could result in a change to her sentence. The case highlighted the serious implications of illegal phone use in prisons, as it undermines security and order within the facility. Butcher’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of crossing boundaries in a professional setting, especially when working in a high-security environment like a prison.