James Moorhouse
A prison officer in the UK has been jailed after she was caught sneaking into a cupboard with an inmate at the facility where she worked.
Morgan Farr Varney, 24, was working at the HMP Lindholme in Doncaster when she 'proper fell in love' with one of the inmates, which led to an intimate relationship between the two.
Ms Farr Varney joined the service in 2022 and reportedly received specific training on how to spot conditioning from inmates, however, a search of the inmate's cell led to the discovery of love letters, with similar letters also being discovered in Farr Varney's bedroom.
During an investigation by South Yorkshire Police's Prison Anti-Corruption Unit, CCTV footage was found which caught them loitering near a cupboard before disappearing inside, as well as Farr Varney loitering with him on a wing, Sheffield Crown Court heard on Friday (9 May).
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Farr Varney was arrested in 2023 and admitted her feelings for the inmate, later resigning from the prison after she was placed on bail, while the inmate was moved to another category C facility.
However, it was discovered that their relationship had continued as pictures of Farr Varney were found in his cell at HMP Wealstun.
Now, the 24-year-old has been sentenced to 10 months in jail after pleading guilty to misconduct in public office, according to the BBC.
Detective Constable Scott Jarvis, who is part of South Yorkshire Police’s prison anti-corruption unit, said: "We take any reports of improper relationships between prison staff and inmates incredibly seriously and conduct thorough investigations to ensure those who are guilty of these offences are brought to justice.
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"These types of relationships are thankfully rare, but when they do happen, they threaten to undermine the reputation of the prison service and other hard-working prison officers who abide by the rules and regulations attached to the job.
"Staff at HMPPS Counter Corruption Unit supported us throughout our investigation and I want to thank them for their cooperation.
"I hope this sentencing sends out a clear message to any prison officers thinking of committing similar offences that if you engage in this type of criminality, you will be investigated by police and you will be brought to justice."
Last year, former HMP Wandsworth prison officer, Linda De Sousa Abreu, was filmed having sex with an inmate, with footage of the act later being shared on social media, which led to her being charged.
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She pleaded to misconduct in public office in July last year and was sentenced to 15 months in prison.