A former prison officer has been jailed for six years and three months after being caught smuggling drugs into one of Scotland's top security jails. Heather McKenzie secretly ferried cocaine and mobile phones into Shotts Prison, in Lanarkshire, after befriending evil knife killer Zak Malavin.
The 31-year-old’s illicit scheme was rumbled following a joint investigation by the Scottish Prison Service and Police Scotland, who became suspicious about the growing number of drugs found in cells. McKenzie, from Forth, was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow after pleading guilty to charges of supplying a prisoner and others with controlled drugs, phones and a SIM card.
The court heard that intelligence linked serving prison staff to the corrupt supply of controlled drugs and mobile phones to inmates. During the probe, McKenzie was identified as a suspected drugs trafficker. Further intelligence suggested she had also formed a close bond with Malavin, who is serving a life term for killing Andrew Curran, 41, to death in front of his sons during a fight in Glasgow’s Maryhill Park in April 2010.
The prisoner’s cell was searched twice and officers found quantities of cocaine and an iPhone, which on examination was found to contain calls and WhatsApp messages to McKenzie’s own mobile. The court heard that an iPhone can sell for up to £5,000 in prison.
Data recovered from the phones revealed McKenzie discussed smuggling drugs into the prison on six separate occasions. The court was told that during one of their earliest conversations, the accused and the prisoner openly discussed personal drugs misuse.
The court also heard the prisoner arranged for unidentified individuals to meet with McKenzie to drop off drugs, phones and money. Meetings were then arranged at various locations, including McKenzie’s home address.
The relationship continued, with both the accused and the prisoner holding online conversations over the introduction of drugs and mobile phones to Shotts Prison. Advocate Depute Graeme Jessop said McKenzie provided her postcode and house number in the messages.
The court was told that McKenzie, a first offender, appeared to have been paid money to smuggle the contraband into the prison. On one occasion, she was sent to reassure another inmate who feared the scheme would be uncovered that he “wouldn’t be caught”.
Police officers who carried out a search of her home removed a haul which included £2,500 in cash, syringes, steroids, cocaine and benzocaine, which was recovered from a first aid box in a garden shed. McKenzie will now also be the subject of a Crown Office confiscation notice under proceeds of crime legislation to recover any ill-gotten gains.
David Green, Procurator Fiscal for Homicide and Major Crime, welcomed the sentence and said McKenzie, as a prison officer, had committed a severe breach of trust. He said: “The public rightly must have confidence in prison officers to uphold the law.
“This individual abused her position and fell far short of the standards of professional conduct the public are entitled to expect from members of her profession. I hope this sentence sends a strong message to others involved in this kind of criminal behaviour and demonstrates that prosecutors will ensure that people who act otherwise than in accordance with their duties in public office will be brought to justice.”
A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said: “While the vast majority of our staff adhere to the highest standards of conduct, we are always vigilant to any potential corruption within our establishments.
“We have an increasing serious and organised crime population, and recently launched our first ever anti-corruption framework, which both supports staff who may be targeted and sets out a framework to assess, monitor, challenge and prevent illicit activity.
“As this case demonstrates, we will always work with Police Scotland to ensure any potential criminality is fully investigated.”
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