A prison officer smuggled drugs into a maximum security jail after befriending a vicious killer.
Heather McKenzie, 31, bonded with Zak Malavin while working as an operations officer at HMP Shotts, which houses some of Scotland's most notorious criminals.
Prison officials and police launched a probe following a surge in the amount of drugs being found in the jail. Intelligence led to McKenzie being suspected of bringing drugs and mobile phones into the prison.
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Malavin, caged for the brutal slaying of a man in a park, had his cell searched in May 2020 which led to an iPhone, cocaine and a sleeping pill being found.
A search the following month found two knotted bags with 5.7g of cocaine while data on the iPhone revealed texts and calls to McKenzie.
Police raided her home in Forth, Lanarkshire, in October 2020 and found £2,500 in cash, mobile phones, syringes, steroids, and cocaine and benzocaine.
An iPhone revealed a missed WhatsApp call from a contact named 'Zak' and she was arrested.
Phone analysis discovered a string of messages between Malavin and McKenzie who met with criminals to be given drugs, phones and money.
Evidence suggested McKenzie had been paid to keep the illicit supply operation going and she would stash smuggled items near Malavin's cell.
The investigation also revealed McKenzie persuaded another prisoner to keep participating in the scheme after Malavin, 30, told her he was considering pulling out.
She urged him to continue and assured him his cell would not be searched by staff.
Mum-of-two McKenzie appeared at the High Court in Lanark and admitted supplying Malavin and others with drugs at HMP Shotts between March and October 2020.
She also admitted giving Malavin an illicit mobile phone and sim card.
Advocate depute Graeme Jessop, prosecuting, said: "A joint operation by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and Police Scotland investigating alleged corruption by staff within HMP Shotts commenced in March 2020.
"This operation was initiated after disclosures were made to SPS surrounding the involvement of serving prison officers in corrupt and criminal practices including the supply of controlled drugs and the introduction of mobile phones to the prison.
"This information was obtained from prison intelligence and a notable increase in drug recoveries from within HMP Shotts.
"The now accused was identified as one of the prison officers suspected to be introducing controlled drugs, mobile devices and other articles into the prison.
"Further, consistent intelligence was received purporting that the accused had formed a close relationship with a prisoner who is serving a life sentence."
Jessop told the court the quantity of drugs and mobile phones recovered from McKenzie's home were 'minimal' but evidence revealed the 'nature and frequency' of the smuggling.
The prosecutor added: "The recovered messages show that the prisoner arranged for persons as yet unidentified to meet with the accused to drop off drugs, phones and money.
"The relationship continued with both the accused and the prisoner initiating conversations regarding the introduction of controlled drugs and money into HMP Shotts and the accused appeared to have been paid money to do so.
"The prisoner appeared to use other prisoners to hold and store illicit items and the accused would drop smuggled items into a prisoner safe within or near his cell for safe storage.
"Another prisoner appears to have wanted nothing further to do with this and the accused is sent by the prisoner who was communicating with her to speak with him and reassure him.
"The accused describes convincing him to keep going and assuring him his cell won't be searched and he won't be caught."
Judge David Young KC deferred sentence on first offender McKenzie and continued bail.
She will be sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on February 23.
Prosecutors have also launched proceeds of crime proceedings against her.
Allegations McKenzie supplied pregabalin, used to treat anxiety and epilepsy, and testosterone to Malavin were dropped.
Malavin, along with brother Angus, stabbed Andrew Curran, 41, to death in front of his sons during a pre-arranged fight in Maryhill Park in Glasgow in April 2010.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said: "We do not comment on individual cases.
"The vast majority of our staff work to the highest standard of conduct at all times.
"If it is alleged that staff are involved in any illegal activity, the incident would be reported to Police Scotland for independent investigation."
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