Prison Officer and Inmate Plead Guilty to Misconduct

A 19-year-old prison officer and a 30-year-old inmate pleaded guilty on Monday to multiple counts of misconduct in public office stemming from their sexual relationship and the smuggling of contraband into a Northamptonshire prison.

Alicia Novas, a custody officer at HMP Five Wells, and Declan Winkless admitted the charges during a brief hearing at Northampton Crown Court. The offenses occurred primarily between August and December 2024 at the Category C facility near Wellingborough, which is operated by the private security firm G4S. Novas, from Raunds in Northamptonshire, and Winkless, formerly of South Wigston in Leicestershire, both entered guilty pleas to two counts of misconduct in public office: one covering the four-month period and another specific to November 23, 2024.

The court heard that Novas provided her telephone number to Winkless and failed to report his possession of a mobile phone and cannabis, actions described as a willful abuse of public trust. Winkless, who is serving an 11-year sentence for his role in a 2021 armed burglary gang in Leicestershire, encouraged and assisted in the misconduct. The pair also pleaded guilty to conveying cannabis and two mobile...