March 20th 2024.
Tashiba Watkins, a former correctional officer at Julia Tutwiler Prison, has recently found herself in hot water after being charged with abusing her position for personal gain. According to reports from WSFA, Watkins resigned from her role in November 2023 and was subsequently arrested at her home on March 13 by the Alabama Department of Corrections' Law Enforcement Services Division.
The case against Watkins stemmed from a $1,000 transaction made through Apple Pay, which was traced back to an undisclosed phone number. Court records revealed that this transaction took place in November 2023, and Watkins was accused of accepting the money in exchange for smuggling drugs into the prison. However, Watkins vehemently denied these allegations, stating that she had repeatedly refused the inmate's request and had even faced threats from them on both her personal cell phone and her daughter's phone. Despite this, Watkins failed to report these interactions to her superiors at the time.
On the other hand, the inmate involved in the case claimed that they had given Watkins over $2,000 on multiple occasions in exchange for various contraband items within the prison. While no physical evidence of contraband was found during the investigation, the inmate did provide personal notes containing Watkins' private information and details of a meeting between the two at a specific time and date.
Further evidence against Watkins was uncovered during the investigation, including security footage that allegedly showed her meeting with the inmate and providing them with writing materials. The ADOC's investigation also revealed that Watkins had indeed accepted a digital transaction of at least $1,000 from a contact linked to the inmate. Three text messages were extracted from the inmate's cell phone, one of which explicitly requested monetary funds.
As the ADOC's Law Enforcement Services Division continues to investigate the matter, it is possible that additional charges may be brought against those involved. Julia Tutwiler Prison, where Watkins used to work, is an all-women's facility located in Wetumpka, Alabama, according to the ADOC.
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