Garth prison officer who ran rehab courses is jailed for supplying inmates with 'dangerous substances'
A former HMP Garth staff member has been jailed for supplying ‘dangerous’ prohibited items to prisoners.
Jane Littler, 31, of Rivington Road, Chorley, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison at Preston Crown Court on January 15, following an investigation into corruption and the supply of prohibited items to prisoners.
Littler began working at HMP Garth in August 2014, delivering rehabilitation courses to male prisoners, including programmes aimed at reducing violence. An investigation by the North West Regional Crime Unit (NWROCU) began in August 2021 when a mobile phone was discovered in a prisoner’s cell.
Analysis revealed more than 2,000 contacts between the device and Littler. Subsequent searches uncovered further evidence of inappropriate contact and prohibited items linked to her. On October 5, 2021, Littler was arrested at her home address. Officers seized mobile phones, handwritten notes, and packages containing substances including spice and 768 painkiller tablets. Letters recovered from her address indicated an inappropriate relationship with a serving prisoner.
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Brian Morley from the NWROCU’s Prison Investigation Unit said: “This case demonstrates the serious consequences of corruption within prisons. Staff are entrusted with supporting rehabilitation and protecting the public, but when that trust is abused, it undermines the integrity of the entire system.
“The defendant not only engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a serving prisoner, but also facilitated the introduction of dangerous substances into a custodial environment. These actions fuel organised crime, put other prisoners and staff at risk, and erode public confidence in the justice system.
“Today’s sentence sends a clear message: corruption will be identified, investigated, and prosecuted. We will continue to work closely with our partners in the prison service to ensure that those who seek to exploit their position for criminal gain are held accountable.”
Garth Prison, drugs and violence
In November 2024, the Leyland jail housing “very serious offenders” was described by The HM Inspectorate of Prisons as an 'airport' with drones flying drugs in - and violence up 45 per cent.
In June 2025, an independent review of the progress at Garth says not enough progress had been made since the full inspection - infact the drones situation has got worse. The report states: “More prisoners had tested positive for drugs, and efforts to stem the supply were thwarted by a huge increase in the number of drones flying to cell windows to deliver packages. Bids for funds to install better security had not been approved, and without such investment it was difficult to see how this large-scale, organised criminal activity within the prison would be addressed.”
It also said that care for the most vulnerable remained “very weak”. The inspector said: “Many prisoners felt unsupported by officers and too many officers said that they did not have the time to get to know the prisoners in their care, which undermined efforts to promote good behaviour. Several prisoners said that rewards were not motivating them, and it was evident that prisoners were still allowed to get away with frequent breaches of basic prison rules.”