The number of female prison officers fired after having sex with male prisoners is on the rise, new figures show.
Twenty-nine were thrown out of the Prison Service in the last three years, compared to nine between 2017 and 2019 according to The Sun.
Ministry of Justice figures showed 50 out of 124 investigations following tip-offs about alleged“inappropriate” relationships were upheld though some officers were only suspended or moved to different jobs.
A Prison Service spokesman said “staff corruption” was “not tolerated”.
They added: “The overwhelming majority of our prison staff are hardworking and honest. We are dedicated to rooting out those who are not.”
It comes after a Wandsworth prison officer pleaded guilty to misconduct after having sex with an inmate in a cell.
Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, of Fulham, was charged after a video was shared on social media.
She was arrested at Heathrow Airport and was due to catch a flight to Madrid havingnotified the prison of her travel plans.
De Sousa Abreu, who holds a Portuguese passport, was granted conditional bail, and willnext appear at Isleworth Crown Court on November 7.
Tetteh Turkson, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This was a shocking breach ofthe public’s trust. De Sousa was clearly an enthusiastic participant who wrongly thought she would avoid responsibility.
“The CPS recognises there is no excuse for any prison officer who conducts themselves insuch a manner, and we will never hesitate to prosecute those who abuse their position of power.
“After working closely with the Metropolitan Police to build the strongest possible case, De Sousa had no option but accept she was guilty. She will now rightly face the consequences of her actions.”
