A former prison officer has been jailed after admitting to a sexual relationship with an inmate and smuggling drugs and mobile phones into a prison in Northamptonshire.
Alicia Novas, 20, from Raunds, worked at HMP Five Wells in Wellingborough, where she became involved with inmate Declan Winkless, 31. Novas admitted six offences, including misconduct in public office, and was sentenced to three years in prison at Northampton Crown Court.
Winkless admitted encouraging Novas to commit the offences and was jailed for three years and four months, to run consecutively to his existing sentence.
The court heard that Novas began working at the prison in July 2024, aged 18, while Winkless had arrived the previous month. By early November, the pair were communicating directly after Novas gave Winkless her personal phone number. Their relationship later became sexual.
Prosecutors said the pair used multiple phone numbers to stay in contact, exchanging messages, calls and video calls. During the indictment period, between August 2024 and March 2025, there were 2,873 contacts between them.
Novas admitted bringing cannabis and two mobile phones into the prison, engaging in unauthorised communication and passing on the name of a prisoner informant. Prosecutor Matthew Rowcliffe described this as a serious breach of her duties and a risk to prison safety.
Novas was arrested on 23 December 2024 after a phone was recovered from Winkless’s cell. Although she resigned from her role days later, the court heard she resumed contact with Winkless while on bail, making around 400 further calls.
Sentencing, Judge Rebecca Crane said Novas had failed to appreciate the seriousness of her actions and the risk posed to staff and prisoners. While acknowledging her age and vulnerability, the judge said she had opportunities to report the situation but continued the relationship.
Addressing Winkless, who has 16 previous convictions and is serving a separate sentence until 2029, the judge said he had manipulated Novas using his greater age and experience.
Novas will serve half of her sentence in custody before being released on licence. Winkless’s sentence will be added to his existing prison term.