Prison worker jailed over drug calls
A mother of three who let inmates at a Derby prison use her office telephone to organise drug deals has been sentenced to 28 months jail.
Michelle Janice Taylor allowed prisoners to make unmonitored calls in an attempt to smuggle cannabis into West Kimberley Regional Prison last year.
She also used the Department of Corrective Services' computer system to access restricted information about current and former inmates at the request of prisoners.
The 43-year-old, who was employed as a case worker at the time, pleaded guilty to two counts of corruption in the District Court yesterday. She also pleaded guilty to seven counts of unlawful use of a restricted-access computer system.
Judge Patrick O'Neal told the court the public rightly expected those involved in the administration of justice to maintain the highest standard of integrity. He acknowledged the sentence handed to Taylor would be hard for her children but said a prison term was the only appropriate punishment.
"The nature of this offending involved repeated breaches of trust," he said.
During one of the phone conversations, Taylor reassured the person the prisoner had called that their conversation was not being recorded. She also stood in a doorway to keep watch while a different inmate was using the phone.
Her lawyer Ashley Watson said his client received no financial benefit from committing the crimes, only friendship. He told the court she felt isolated at home and at work but had since realised she had been gullible and naive.
Taylor's work history includes stints as a primary school teacher and as an Aboriginal liaison officer.
Family members and her current employer described her as hardworking and caring in references that were given to Judge O'Neal.
Prosecutor Lisa Howells said law-abiding members of the public were concerned drugs were getting into the prison system. She said the case undermined the public's confidence in the system because it showed "people on the inside in a position of trust" played a role.
Taylor will be eligible for parole in December next year.
