An experienced prison psychologist suspended for sending an inmate a topless photo and bikini snaps has been cleared to return to work by a misconduct panel
A prison shrink who sent a lag a topless snap of herself during a video call has been cleared to treat patients again. Experienced psychologist Lisa Forgione got close to the inmate while holding sessions with him behind bars at HMP Isle of Wight.
The pair did not have an inappropriate relationship until after she left her post at the high-security nick. Her former patient spoke to his probation officer the same month she quit, claiming the pair were romantically involved.
Forgione denied the relationship, leading His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service to conclude “it is likely that this relationship was fabricated”.
However, the pair kept up frequent contact – and things reportedly heated up on screen.
During one video call, the shrink is understood to have showed off snaps of “herself in a bikini and topless with her arms across her breasts”.
After prison bosses raised concerns over her “sexual” behaviour, the defiant shrink dug her heels in.
She said: “I am not in a professional relationship with the prisoner, nor in a sexual, financial or emotional relationship with him and never have been.”
The pair continued communicating, leading the Health and Care Professionals Tribunal Service to slap her with a suspension for misconduct.
However, the regulatory panel has now decided the ban can be lifted and she is allowed to return to work.
It comes after prison officer Jai Gascoyne, 25, was jailed for 16 months after being caught in an illicit romance with drug gang boss Dil Nawaz, leaving behind a gushing Valentine’s card pledging to wait for him.
Her colleague Elle Walton, 27, was also locked up for 13 months for a secret fling with Nawaz’s brother and fellow inmate, Haq, with prosecutors revealing the two guards at Buckley Hall Prison near Rochdale actively helped each other cover up their relationships.
Both women resigned and pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office, while the inmate brothers were handed an additional 12 months on their sentences.