The number of prison officers disciplined for forming inappropriate relationships with inmates has nearly tripled in England and Wales over the past decade, with 32 officers facing disciplinary action in 2024-25 compared to 12 in 2017-18. These figures, obtained through a freedom of information request, indicate a concerning trend of young, often female, officers becoming entangled with prisoners.
On average, over 70% of officers found to have engaged in such relationships are recommended for dismissal each year, a rate that rose from seven in 2017-18 to 16 in 2023-24. While specific figures for individual prisons are limited due to data protection laws, these cases highlight a broader issue within the prison service. Many of the officers involved are young and inexperienced, sometimes assisting inmates in smuggling contraband like drugs into jails.
Neil O'Brien, the shadow minister for policy renewal, suggested that current staff selection processes are failing to identify individuals with the appropriate mindset and attitudes for the role. He emphasized the need for the prison service to prioritize the selection of staff who can maintain order and public safety. Critics also suggest that the prison service may not be adequately vetting and training new recruits to resist manipulation by inmates.
However, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) attributes the rise in disciplinary figures to the increased effectiveness of its anti-corruption taskforce in identifying misconduct. The service is reportedly incorporating training on how to avoid seduction and manipulation by inmates into its expanded training program for new officers.
Justice experts and former prison governors have expressed concern over the rising numbers, even if they reflect improved detection. Vanessa Frake, a former prison governor, stated that while better identification of inappropriate relationships is positive, an increase in cases is still worrying. She stressed that prison officers hold a position of significant trust and power, with access to vulnerable individuals and sensitive information. Inappropriate relationships can quickly escalate into serious security breaches.
Fraks noted that recruitment and retention pressures can be a factor, especially when struggling to attract experienced staff, making rigorous vetting, training, and supervision crucial. She added that prisoners are adept at identifying and exploiting staff weaknesses, and that professional boundaries must be strictly enforced.
Several cases illustrate the severity of the issue. Isabelle Dale was jailed for three and a half years after engaging in sexual relationships with two inmates, allegedly involving sexual activity in a prison prayer space and aiding in the smuggling of drugs and mobile phones. Alicia Novas, aged 20, received a three-year sentence for forming a relationship with an inmate, smuggling him contraband, and exchanging thousands of messages, after a video of their sexual encounter circulated on social media within the prison.
Linda De Sousa Abreu was jailed for 15 months after being filmed having sex with an inmate at HMP Wandsworth. The incident, which went viral, occurred while she reportedly maintained an account on an adult content platform. Other cases include Katie Evans, who referred to herself as 'the queen' while engaging in sexual acts with a convicted robber, and Charlotte Winstanley, who expressed a desire to bear a child for a violent inmate.
Rebecca Green was jailed for forming a relationship with a convicted killer. Megan Breen received a suspended sentence after developing a relationship and having sexual contact with an inmate released on license.
These cases often involve young women early in their careers. Official figures suggest that the prison service is increasingly staffed by young, female recruits, with 55% of new joiners in 2020-21 being female and 50.8% under 30. Around 30% of all prison officers are women.
Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, has noted that inexperienced officers can be vulnerable to manipulation by sophisticated inmates who may use collusion and charm to draw them into inappropriate relationships. Former prison officer Morgan Farr Varney, who was jailed for an illicit affair with an inmate, has called for the minimum age for prison officer recruits to be raised from 18 to 25, citing her own experience of being emotionally vulnerable and naive when she joined.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson stated that inappropriate relationships between staff and prisoners are unacceptable and that the toughest action is taken against any staff found to be in breach of standards. Those found guilty face dismissal and potential imprisonment.