Female Prison Officer Jailed for Inmate Relationship at HMP Doncaster
A female prison officer has been sentenced to 21 months in prison after admitting to misconduct in public office due to her inappropriate relationship with an inmate at HMP Doncaster. Katie Evans, 26, engaged in a sexual relationship with Daniel Brownley, a convicted robber, while working at the prison.
Investigators discovered that Evans had referred to herself as Brownley’s “queen” in messages exchanged between them. She also assisted him in illicit activities, including collecting money from cannabis deals and sharing confidential prison information. Their relationship, which involved sexual activity within the prison walls, raised serious concerns about institutional security and public trust.
During sentencing, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC condemned Evans’ actions, stating that she had “betrayed the trust placed in her” and disrupted the order within the prison. However, the judge reduced her sentence to 21 months, considering the potential impact on Evans’ relationship with her young daughter.
This case is part of a worrying trend of inappropriate relationships between prison staff and inmates. Similar incidents have surfaced across the UK, leading to disciplinary action and jail sentences for officers involved.
In another recent case, Toni Cole, a 29-year-old prison officer at HMP Five Wells in Northamptonshire, was jailed for 12 months for misconduct in public office. She admitted to exchanging over 4,400 flirtatious or sexual messages with a 28-year-old inmate over a five-month period. The affair came to light during an investigation into an unauthorized overtime shift she had worked.
Additionally, Rachel Stanton, another prison officer at HMP Five Wells, received a suspended sentence after her relationship with armed robber Edwin Poole was discovered. Authorities found intimate photographs and a love letter in Poole’s cell, revealing the affair. Despite her suspension, Stanton continued visiting Poole, and the pair eventually had a child together before separating.
These incidents highlight ongoing challenges within the prison system regarding staff-inmate relationships. Authorities are under increasing pressure to implement stricter policies and enhanced training to prevent such cases from occurring. The need for greater vigilance and accountability among prison staff is essential to maintaining order and ensuring public trust in the justice system.
