Three more prison staff have been arrested or convicted in relation to criminal offences – while new figures from the Ministry of Justice showed that over 1,000 prison or probation staff in England and Wales have faced disciplinary action in the latest 12-month period.
In separate cases:
A 31-year-old woman was handed a suspended sentence after admitting to having a flirtatious relationship with an inmate while working as a prison officer at HMP Lowdham Grange in May 2023. She pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office. Her six-month prison term was suspended for 18 months.
A former male prison officer at HMP Manchester was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years plus a six-year extended licence period, for what a judge described as “sadistic” suggestions when he believed he was communicating with children on line. As the victims could not be traced he was convicted of attempted abuse rather than actual abuse.
Just after Christmas, Guernsey Police confirmed that a 34-year-old male member of staff at the island’s prison, Les Nicolles, has been arrested on “suspicion of supplying a controlled substance”. Prison authorities said he had been suspended pending further investigation, and he is free on unconditional bail whilst the authorities pursue the matter.
Meanwhile, new MoJ figures showed that between April 2024 and March 2025, a total of 1,286 prison and probation staff in England and Wales were subject to conduct and disciplinary action, with 939 ending up being disciplined – with such action ranging from verbal warnings up to dismissal. Their offences range from minor infractions up to serious rule breaches such as those for which have people end up in court.
During the 12-month period, 405 staff were dismissed – of whom 276 were male and 129 were female. The total marks an increase from the figure of 287 in the previous 12 months. A spokesperson for the Prison Service said: “Where staff fall below our exacting standards, we do not hesitate to take robust action.”
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