A prison officer from Alton is tasting life on the other side of the bars after being jailed for taking mobile phones and steroids into HMP Winchester.

Christopher Harman, 36, of Pentons Close, Holybourne, Alton, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on January 30 alongside Liam Currell, 31, currently residing at HMP Lewes, and Stephanie Burt, 30, of Stanley Green Road, Poole, Dorset.

All three had admitted conspiracy to take steroids and phones – which are banned items – into the prison at a previous hearing.

Harman was jailed for 16 months, with the last eight months to be served on licence. Currell was jailed for ten months, to run consecutively to his current prison term. Burt was jailed for 16 months, suspended for two years.

Det Sgt Sarah Page said: “Harman was a prison officer and had a duty of care to all prisoners and colleagues. He abused his position by bringing steroids and mobile phones into the prison.”

The court heard that in June 2021 police launched an investigation after Winchester prison reported an increase in contraband entering the jail, which led to the arrests of Currell, Burt and Harman.

Between May and August 2021 the trio conspired to take steroids, mobiles and other prohibited items into HMP Winchester as requested by Currell, who was using a mobile from his cell to communicate with Harman and Burt.

Police searched Burt and Harman’s homes and cars, and seized mobiles, steroids and syringes, some of which matched those in prison. At Burt’s home were cash, mobile receipts and mobile boxes matching mobiles in prison.

Harman and Burt communicated more than 115 times between May and August 2021 and arranged to meet nine times for Burt to hand Harman the packages to take into prison. Harman was caught on prison CCTV going into Currell’s cell with a bag and leaving moments later without it.

Det Sgt Page added: “Prohibited items are prohibited for a reason. Drugs including steroids pose a risk to the health and safety of prisoners and staff, and mobile phones enable prisoners to continue committing crimes.”