Two female prison employees have been sent to prison themselves after being convicted of engaging in explicit relationships with inmates, in a serious breach of trust that judges said eroded confidence in the prison system.
Body Camera Captures Sexual Act in Store Cupboard
Rebecca Pinckard, a 46-year-old prison officer, was caught performing a sexual act on inmate Erion Nakdi. The incident was recorded on her own body-worn camera inside a store cupboard at HMP Highpoint in Suffolk in July. Judge Anthony Cartin noted this "was not a one off" event, as the camera captured two video clips of the encounter, filmed just five minutes apart.
Further evidence was found on Pinckard's personal phone, which contained sexual videos of Nakdi that had been recorded from within his prison cell. The officer, who is a mother, had also sent the prisoner a Moonpig greeting card in April prior to the incident.
Tutor's Flustered Discovery in Locked Workshop
In a separate case at HMP Chelmsford in Essex, 49-year-old tutor Melissa Murphy was discovered in a compromising situation. Despite being engaged to another person, Murphy admitted to writing love letters to inmate Gavon Smith.
Judge Jamie Sawyer detailed how, on 8 December 2023, Murphy made an unusual request for Smith to be brought to the industrial cleaning workshop she taught in, despite no class being scheduled. A concerned colleague later found Murphy alone with the prisoner in a locked room. The judge stated she appeared "flustered" and had "a flushed upper chest" when the door was opened.
Judges Condemn Erosion of Public Trust
Both women were sentenced to eight months in prison today. In sentencing, the judges emphasised the profound breach of trust and the damage caused to the integrity of the prison service.
Judge Cartin told Pinckard that her offence had continued "for a number of months" and she was only discovered "because of a clumsy mistake" when her camera activated. Judge Sawyer told Murphy she had "abused that trust by engaging in a romantic relationship with a prisoner, exposing yourself to corruption and undermining confidence in the prison system."
He identified the true victim of these crimes as the public, stating: "Confidence in the prison system is essential. And your actions have further eroded that confidence, particularly at HMP Chelmsford."
