Shock toll of staff trysts with prisoners

AT least 93 jail staff have had inappropriate relationships with prisoners since 2018, the Daily Express can reveal.

Figures, which have risen every year, show the majority were women who engaged with male offenders. Both parties were male in at least 12 cases.

They were revealed following a Freedom of Information request.

Tory MP Philip Davies, right, said: “This is a very serious issue which can compromise the safety of people inside and outside of prison – including prisoners’ victims.

“The prisoners are very manipulative people and this is something which must be stamped out. The prison service and the courts must take the most robust action when cases are uncovered.”

Eighteen staff were disciplined in 2022/23, regardless of whether relationships were sexual, compared with 11 in 2017/18. At least 58 were sacked in the five-year period and 11 had written warnings. The Ministry of Justice says it has boosted its counter-corruption unit by 140 more staff and tightened vetting processes to root out misconduct.

Mick Pimblett, of the Union for Prison, Correctional and Secure Psychiatric Workers, said dismissal should be the “default position” for corrupt jail staff.

He said: “The vast majority are hard-working, conscientious and honest. However, there are a small number of corrupt staff who undermine others’ work.

“Their corruption compromises their colleagues, the security of the establishment and themselves and makes them susceptible to blackmail and criminal activity.”

He added: “There may be reasons such as poor recruitment and lack of training, but at the end of the day these staff must recognise what is right and what is wrong. It is very difficult to have any sympathy for them.

“It is right and correct that these corrupt staff who put themselves into such situations are weeded out and placed before the courts.”

The figures included three staff at Welsh prisons jailed for illicit liaisons with inmates.

Nurse Elyse Hibbs, 25, had a relationship at Parc jail, Bridgend, and received six months. Guard Emily Watson, 26, was given a year for a sexual tryst with a drug dealer at Berwyn prison, North Wales.

Berwyn probationary officer Ayshea Gunn, 27, received a year for a liaison with an armed robber.

The MoJ said: “We are doing more than ever to catch the minority who break the rules.”