Correctional officer jailed for cell phone

A correctional officer at the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton has been arrested for promoting prison contraband and using her position for personal gain.

Taylor Alexandra Boatright, 25, 11656 Highway 29, Brewton, was arrested Nov. 23 after jail supervisors conducted a search of employees entering the facility.

Sheriff Heath Jackson said Boatright was found in possession of a cellular telephone that was being smuggled into the jail to be given to an inmate. Jackson stated Boatright received money from the inmate to purchase the phone and bring it inside the facility.

"We hold our people accountable as much as anybody else," Jackson said.

Jackson said Boatright had been employed as a correctional officer since Feb. 21, 2021.

Boatright was released on $30,000 bond later that day. A condition of her bond is that she have no contact with any inmate inside the detention center.

District Attorney Steve Billy said using her official position for personal gain is a Class B felony and carries a sentence of two to 20 years in prison if convicted. Promoting prison contraband is a Class C felony that carries a sentence of a year and a day to 10 years.