A civilian worker who fell for an inmate and plotted to smuggle £20,000 worth of heroin hidden in a coffee jar into Stafford Prison has been jailed for six years.

Kitchen supervisor Linda Powell agreed to take the package to the jail in a desperate bid to stop rumours about the relationship with a former inmate.

Mr Recorder Stephen Thomas, sitting at Stafford Crown Court, told her she had abused her position of trust and “knew the great harm that flows from taking drugs into prison”.

Powell, aged 50, of Heronswood, Wildwood, Stafford, pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to supply heroin and cannabis on October 23 of 2006.

Mr Andrew Jackson, prosecuting, said on that day she was returning from lunch when a sniffer dog showed an interest in the items she was carrying. The coffee jar was full but when shaken it was discovered there were wrapped packages inside. Mr Jackson said these contained 52 grams of heroin of 50 per cent purity with a prison value of £20,000, 26 grams of cannabis, worth about £200, and a mobile phone.

Mr Jackson said one of Powell’s jobs in the prison was to select inmates suitable for working in the catering section, and it was clear she became over-friendly with some of them, buying them presents.

“She became attracted to one particular inmate and the friendship continued after he left in mid-2005,” he added.

Powell told police that information circulating in the prison was causing her difficulties and she had received a letter saying that if she collected the packages the rumours would stop. She claimed she was also warned that if she did not go along with the request, life would be made “difficult” for her.

Mr Jackson said the inmate involved with Powell had left the prison some time prior to October 2006 but she still had contact with him up to and after the time of her arrest.

A phone in her possession had been used to call his number just 40 minutes before her arrest.

Mr Simon Drew, for Powell, said she was of good character, had worked for the prison service for 18 years, had an exemplary work record and was a “dedicated and hardworking lady.”

“Her remorse, regret and shame are obvious,” he added. Mr Drew said a woman working in a man’s prison was particularly vulnerable and she had only undergone one four-day training course and that was 10 years ago.