The stark grey walls of HMP Five Wells, a prison near Wellingborough, held a secret that shattered the boundaries of professional duty. Alicia Novas, a prison officer, found herself entangled in a forbidden connection with an inmate, Declan Winkless, a relationship built on illicit communication and ultimately, betrayal of trust.
Novas confessed to charges stemming from a deeply inappropriate exchange with Winkless, revealing she shared her personal phone number with him – a breach of protocol with potentially devastating consequences. Her actions didn’t stop there; she also failed to report Winkless’s possession of a mobile phone and drugs within the prison walls, actively concealing his illegal activities.
Winkless, now housed at HMP Swaleside in Kent, mirrored Novas’s admission of guilt. He pleaded guilty to charges directly linked to the same offenses, and further confessed to possessing a mobile phone equipped with a SIM card, an item strictly prohibited within the correctional facility.
The courtroom shifted as Novas, previously released on conditional bail, was remanded into custody following the hearing. The gravity of her actions, the violation of her position, and the potential compromise of prison security weighed heavily on the judge’s decision.
Both Novas and Winkless now await sentencing, scheduled for January 5th. The case serves as a chilling reminder of the vulnerabilities within the system and the devastating consequences when those entrusted with maintaining order succumb to temptation and abuse their power.
