Prison nurse sentenced for smuggling drugs in Preston

A prison nurse named Kiera Burton, 33, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for smuggling drugs and SIM cards into HMP Preston. She was caught during a search while on her way to work. Burton was part of a gang of 15 people who used various methods to bring contraband into the prison. This included using drones to drop drugs into the yard and having prisoners pick up packages in hospitals. Some drugs were also hidden in children's clothing during visits. The police investigation began by tracking two inmates, Stinton Glover and Eric Taylor, who were involved in the drug supply. Evidence revealed that Glover coordinated with others, including inmates at another jail, HMP Lancaster Farms. All members of the gang, including Burton, were sentenced to over 50 years in total. Glover received a sentence of nearly eight years, while another member, Jonathan Royal, received around seven years. The issue of drugs in prisons is serious. A prison inspector reported that drugs are too easy to find, leading to violence and debt among inmates. Some prisons have reported that drones delivering contraband have become a significant threat to safety and security. Authorities are committed to tackling this problem. Detective Sergeant Stu Peall highlighted the collaborative efforts between police and prison services to dismantle such criminal gangs. They aim to disrupt their operations and bring offenders to justice.