The former prison officer avoided a prison sentence after the judge questioned why a 19-year-old was working in such a harsh prison.
Samantha Stowell, 23, from Atherton, pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office as a result of her relationship with prisoner Conor Dobson at HMP Manchester, the highly secure prison known as Strangeways. According to The Sun, she avoided jail for having an explicit relationship with the inmate. Stowell was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years.
Stowell began working in the prison service at 19. Her relationship with Conor Dobson lasted three months, involving love letters, explicit photographs and videos, and video calls partially undressed. The conversations occurred between February and August 2023. According to The Daily Mail, Stowell told Dobson that she is his “little princess.”
Dobson’s relatives paid about £1,200 to Stowell’s bank account. They used the money to buy a “dinner date,” something from Tiffany, a haircut, and a bracelet.
Staff found an iPhone belonging to Dobson in his cell, revealing the relationship. Police also seized Stowell’s mobile.
Initially, Stowell told police, “no comment”; later, she admitted she was being foolish and didn’t want to spend her life behind bars. She claimed that Dobson became her “support system” after the suicide of another prisoner, and she loved attention after breaking up with somebody. She lost her job because she did not go back to work.
Judge Patrick Field wondered why a 19-year-old was sent “to the lion’s den.” He mentioned the fact that sophisticated prisoners could take advantage of the girl and pointed out her immaturity as a mitigating circumstance. However, he stated that the crime was serious.
In addition to the suspended sentence, Stowell must complete rehabilitation activity days, complete 250 hours of unpaid work, and pay £250 in costs.
