Female prison officers vulnerabilities are spotted a ‘mile off’ by “bad boy” criminals a psychotherapist has revealed – as traits from the primitive brain lead to illegal affairs
Female prison officers with low self esteem are getting sucked into illegal affairs with “bad boy” inmates who can spot insecurities from a mile off – a psychotherapist has said.
Recent reports of illicit behaviour include prison warden Linda De Sousa Abreu – a married swinger – who was filmed cavorting with serial burglar Linton Weirich in a HMP Wandsworth prison cell last June. The 31-year-old shocked Brits when her exploits came to light – and last Monday (January 6) she was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court to 15 months in jail.
The disgraced officer, originally from Brazil, will serve her sentence at HMP Bronzefield in a wing alongside serial baby murderer Lucy Letby and Sara Sharif’s killer stepmother.
She was arrested at Heathrow airport in summer 2024 trying to board a flight to Madrid, but denied trying to flee the UK – she later pleaded guilty to misconduct after having sex with an inmate in a prison cell.
Another female officer, Cheryl Hinde, 44, was jailed after she had a relationship with an inmate when she was working at HMP Kirkham. Cheryl was given a four month sentence for a love affair that saw her and the inmate spend hours on the phone and exchange several love letters.
In north Wales, Wrexham prison officer Jessica McClearly also had an affair with an inmate. The law graduate dodged jail, but ended up pregnant – and miscarrying – after sleeping with the convict after he was released from prison.
Prison officer Hannah Angwaba, 30, had an affair with convicted rapist Anton McPherson while working at HMP Forest Bank.
She was sentenced to four months in prison after smuggling drugs, tobacco and mobile phones in her braided hair – while in the romance with the inmate.
Now an experienced psychotherapist has said “certain traits” mean “certain types” of people – in this case female prison officers – are a factor in their risky behaviour with often dangerous inmates.
Kamalyn Kaur is a Cheshire-based psychotherapist with a decade of experience, specialising in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – she has said that certain types of people will be “easily influenced” in the prison environment.
Speaking to the MailOnline Ms Kaur said: “It boils down to these people being very insecure in themselves or having a low self-worth. They are not happy in other areas of their life.
“I think if there was a psychological assessment done, there would definitely be certain traits that these people would have because there’s a certain type of person that will be easily influenced in this environment.
“They’re looking for a little bit of an escape. I guarantee you that these are the things they will have in common. The reason why people would be more attracted to that is, for a man to present that kind of masculine energy, that adventure, that sense of assertiveness, back in the day would have increased chances of survival and safety.”
“If we go far back in history, men with these kind of traits like men – that were willing to fight, were competitive and willing to push past others – these are the ones that probably would have survived based on evolution.”
Ms Kaur added that officers could be unhappy deep down – and she believes more should be in place within prisons, to protect inmates and the female prison guards. The psychotherapist said that institutional change is needed within prison settings – as some officers and inmates become “addicted to the adrenaline” in risky behaviour.
Convicted prison officer De Sousa Abreu even told a consultant forensic psychiatrist that she loved Welrich and wanted to continue their relationship after his release, she said he made her feel “like a gangster”.
De Sousa Abreu was diagnosed with ADHD and borderline personality disorder. The disgraced female officer said she felt safe with inmate Welrich – psychotherapist Ms Kaur described how illicit encounters led to a “boosted ego”.
Ms Kaur said: “I think for the female prison guards this boosted power dynamic takes place, especially if you’re not feeling powerful, wanted, or in control in other areas of your life. This power dynamic can lead them into situations right where they feel more powerful. They might feel like they’ve got more control in that situation and make them feel important.”
The psychotherapist also spoke about the grey and dull prison environment being “abnormal”, adding that desensitisation to surroundings in jail – and the crimes of those convicted inside led to “loss of rationale”.
Ms Kaur added that these vulnerabilities are spotted a “mile off” by criminals behind bars – meaning female officers in charge could be “easily manipulated”.