By Prison officer found in romantic relationship with inmate
A prison officer has been sentenced in court after she was found to have developed a romantic relationship with an inmate at HMP Doncaster.
Stephenson, 27, was working at the prison in December 2018 when colleagues suspected she might be in a relationship with a serving prisoner.
The prison reported concerns to the South Yorkshire Police Prison Investigation Team.
Stephenson was arrested in January 2019.
Officers searched her home and found a mobile phone that showed communication, including intimate messages, between Stephenson and the inmate.
Investigating officer, DC Christian Borum, said:
“Stephenson admitted being in a relationship with a prisoner following her arrest.
“The public rightly expects a high standard of behaviour from prison officers, and Stephenson did not uphold these standards.
“It is important we continue to reinforce the message that behaviour like this will not be tolerated.”
Stephenson was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to eight months in prison, suspended for two years and 200 hours of unpaid work.
She must also attend 30 rehabilitation days.
She had pleaded guilty to charges of misconduct in a public office.
The inmate with whom Stephenson was in a relationship had been jailed for drugs offences in February 2018.
He was arrested and remanded in connection with this offence and was ordered to serve an additional 20 weeks in prison.
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