JAILED: Birmingham prison officer who smuggled drugs behind bars
A prison officer has found himself on the other side of the bars after being convicted of taking illegal drugs and psychoactive substances into HMP Birmingham.
Richard Stack, from Kingstanding Road in Kingstanding, was detained at the Winson Green facility on June 21 by West Midlands Police detectives working as part of the force's prison-based investigation team.
The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to conveying cannabis and mobile phone memory sticks into the prison; possession with intent to supply a psychoactive substance into prison; possession of cannabis with intent to supply; and possession of oxymethalone tablets with intent to supply.
He was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court for 21 months.
DC Jim Farrell, from the Prison Investigation Team, said: "Stack abused his position and his conviction serves as a real reminder that no-one is above the law. Drugs and psychoactive substances are illegal in prison; the effects of drugs can impact negatively on the behaviour of prisoners and increase the likelihood for violence and disorder.
"Anyone found in possession of a banned substance will be prosecuted. Equally, anyone who tries to convey drugs into the jail - either by hurling it over the perimeter wall or smuggling it in person - is likely to find themselves on the other side of the fence. They could face a lengthy jail term."
West Midlands Police has a permanent investigation team inside HMP Birmingham focused on tackling contraband smuggling and violence behind bars. It was the first full time prison-based police unit in the country implemented in 2012 and has proved hugely successful.
