Carer caught with drugs while working at Shotts Prison shown mercy by sheriff

A carer working at Shotts Prison has been shown mercy by a sheriff after being caught with drugs. Ashley Malloy, 33, admitted to possessing cocaine and heroin while at the prison. As a result, she has been placed under supervision for 12 months and has been ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid community work. Malloy, who resides at St Catherine’s Crescent in Shotts, was facing accusations alongside John Mack of being involved in the supply of drugs at the high-security jail between May 2021 and March last year.

John Mack, who was a serving prisoner at the time the drugs were discovered, had his not guilty pleas accepted. Meanwhile, Malloy pleaded guilty to reduced charges related to the possession of cocaine and heroin. Mack, from Nitshill, Glasgow, admitted to having an illegal SIM card while in prison. Following the discovery of the drugs and SIM card in March last year, Mack completed his four-year sentence for drugs and serious organised crime offenses. Sheriff John Hamilton sentenced him to four months in prison for this latest offense.

During the court proceedings, Sheriff Hamilton noted that the amount of drugs found with Malloy in the prison was significant, with the cocaine alone weighing 42.5g and valued at around £1,200. Despite this, the sheriff acknowledged Malloy’s guilty plea of simple possession, her minimal criminal record, and vulnerability. As a result, he decided against a custodial sentence for Malloy.

In conclusion, the carer caught with drugs at Shotts Prison has been shown leniency by the sheriff, with a sentence that aims to rehabilitate rather than punish. The case highlights the complexities surrounding drug possession and distribution within correctional facilities, shedding light on the need for effective monitoring and prevention measures to be in place.