A former UK prison officer, Linda De Sousa Abreu, has been sentenced to 15 months in jail after being caught on video having an intimate relationship with a prisoner.
The video, which went viral online, was identified by senior prison staff. Abreu was arrested at Heathrow Airport while trying to board a flight to Madrid with her father. She admitted to misconduct in public office.
The incident took place between June 26 and 28. Further investigations revealed that Abreu used her body-worn prison camera to record another inappropriate act with the same inmate. She also confessed to having relations with him on a separate occasion.
Andrew Davy, the governor of Wandsworth Prison, told the court that Abreu’s actions had undone years of effort by female staff to earn respect in the male-only prison. He added that female officers now face more harassment from prisoners.
Judge Martin Edmunds KC called her behavior a pattern of repeated misconduct, not a one-time mistake.
The Prison Service said they are increasing efforts to catch staff who break the rules and will take strong action against them. Meanwhile, the police are still investigating the prisoners involved.
