Prison guards are meant to protect inmates from harm — but for many working in the already-stretched service, there are record levels of some guards getting too close to the fire
The number of female prison guards being let go from their jobs over secret relationships with lags has reached record levels. It comes as the government desperately tries to bring new officers into the industry as a way to reduce prison overcrowding.
The Daily Star has reported on shocking numbers of guards who got too close to the prisoners they are supposed to be protecting and ended up paying the price for it. And new figures have revealed it is becoming a more common incident.
As Westminster desperately tries to bring down the number of prisoners bring crammed into cells, signs of strain in the prison industry are showing more than ever. Top bosses within the sector are urging those who are eyeing up an illicit relationship to think again.
The Sun reported that within the year 2024-25, a total of eighteen different female prison guards were found out for having secret affairs with lags. These ultimately resulted in their dismissal from the job, bringing the total in the past five years alone to 58.
Well-known cases including Isabelle Dale and Megann Gibson have sent shockwaves across the country after their dodgy dealings with prisoners were exposed. The relationships are incredibly dangerous as not only could the guards risk losing their jobs, they could be sent to prison themselves.
Charlotte Winstanley is the most recent case of this, after she was thrown in the slammer for two and a half years after admitting to her own affair. She confessed she had been getting steamy with inmate Jabhari Blair whilst she was working HMP Lindholme.
Figures from the Ministry of the Justice revealed in a Freedom of Information request showed just how much of a problem the issue has become. In just five years, there have been 252 separate investigations into allegations female guards were getting dirty with male prisoners — that’s almost one a week.
In total, 105 incidents were identified which ultimately led to disciplinary action. Of the 105 incidents, 58 of them were given the boot from their jobs.
The sheer number of female officers having secret relationships has also risen dramatically, with an average of 13 women being fired in the past three years. From the period of between 2017 and 2019, the average sat at just three a year.
Speaking on the results of the findings, Andrew Neilson — who heads the Howard League for Penal Reform — said: “This issue is not one that can be swept under the carpet. More research and robust data is needed, to ensure there are sound policies and adequate checks and training for all staff.”
In its own statement, the Prison Service explained: “Where officers fall below our high standards, we do not hesitate to take robust action. While most prison staff are honest, we are catching more of the minority who break the rules with a bolstered counter corruption unit and stronger vetting.”
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