Great Barr psychologist jailed over inappropriate inmate relationship at young offenders institute
Snapchat messages showed that they had carried out sexual activity on the grounds of the young offenders institute.
A woman tasked with supporting young offenders at a Staffordshire young offenders institute as a psychologist has been jailed for more than two years after having an inappropriate relationship with a 24-year-old inmate.
Amber Renee Gayle, aged 32, of Great Barr admitted to misconduct in a public office, unauthorised access to data and conspiracy to convey a prohibited article into a prison.
Gayle was sentenced to two-year-and-four-months in prison at Birmingham Crown Court.
Gayle had concerns raised about her behaviour in 2024 while working at HMPYOI Swinfen Hall, near Lichfield.
Following these concerns, an investigation led by West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), alongside HM Prison and Probation Service’ Counter Corruption Unit found hundreds of messages between her and a serving inmate who was 24-year-old Rickcarlo Williams.
Phone data revealed an intimate relationship which included explicit images shared between Gayle and Williams.
Messages shared on Snapchat showed that Gayle and Williams had carried out sexual activity within the grounds of the YOI.
The two, Gayle and Williams, made plans for Gayle to bring prohibited items into the institute.
Williams pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convey a prohibited item into a prison and possession of a specified item in a prison without authority.
He was handed a further one-year-and-two-month custodial sentence to run consecutively to the sentence he is currently serving.
Williams was found to have used an illicit mobile phone, delivered by Gayle, to communicate with a number of individuals involved in the supply of the devices into the Young Offenders Institute.
Pictures on the phone showed a number of prohibited devices packaged up to be taken into the YOI by Gayle.
Gayle’s sentence comprised of a one-year-and-two-month prison term for admitting conspiracy to convey banned items into prison, plus a consecutive eight-month sentence for misconduct in public office. She was also handed a six-month sentence after admitting the misuse of computer systems.
Gayle and Williams were also each ordered to forfeit a number of mobile phones and cash as well as pay a surcharge.
Detective Superintendent Ross Jones, of the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), said: “This was a complex and sophisticated operation that involved a significant amount of communication between Gayle and Williams for a prolonged period.
“Gayle clearly used her position of authority to operate below the radar and get illicit mobile phones into the institution, as well as embark on an inappropriate relationship with Williams.
“Williams consistently arranged parcels to be delivered to Gayle, as well as facilitated their distribution within the YOI.
“I am pleased that have each been handed custodial sentences for their offending and hope that this demonstrates how we are committed to working with partners across the criminal justice system to identify, disrupt and prosecute those involved in corruption within our prisons.”