A series of former female prison officers have been handed custodial sentences this year after being convicted of engaging in inappropriate and often sexual relationships with inmates in their care. Their illicit conduct was uncovered following investigations by police and the Ministry of Justice, leading to their dramatic fall from prison guard to prisoner.
Cases That Shocked the Justice System
Morgan Farr Varney, 25, from Doncaster, was sentenced to 10 months in May after admitting a romantic involvement with convicted drug dealer Jordan Rhodes, 30, at HMP Lindholme. CCTV captured the pair in a storage cupboard. Farr Varney, who claims she was emotionally manipulated, is now campaigning to raise the minimum age for prison officers to 25.
Katie Evans, a 26-year-old mother from Hatfield, Doncaster, was jailed for 21 months in March for an intimate relationship with robber Daniel Brownley at HMP Doncaster. She moved money for him, boasted of a sex act, and referred to herself as his queen in over 140 phone calls. She admitted misconduct in a public office.
Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, from south west London, was imprisoned for 15 months in January. Her case came to light after a viral video showed her having sex with burglar Linton Weirich in a cell at HMP Wandsworth in June 2024, filmed by another inmate on a mobile phone.
Further Convictions and Awaiting Sentences
Two officers from HMP Five Wells in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, were also sentenced. Toni Cole, from Wellingborough, received 12 months in February after admitting a relationship with an inmate, sharing thousands of flirtatious texts and calls. Aimee Duke, 26, of Milton Keynes, was jailed for 12 months in August for two counts of misconduct, having been found with a prisoner's ID number and inappropriate messages.
Three more former officers are awaiting sentencing in early 2026:
- Alicia Novas, 19, from Raunds, for offences at HMP Five Wells and HMP Peterborough.
- Sarah Barnett, 31, from Rugeley, for an illicit relationship at HMP Dovegate.
- Heather Pinchbeck, 28, for making secret calls to a violent inmate at HMP Dovegate.
Prison Service Response and Reforms
A Prison Service spokesperson stated: "While the overwhelming majority of Prison Service staff are hardworking and honest, we're catching more of the small minority who break the rules by bolstering our Counter Corruption Unit and strengthening our vetting processes." They emphasised that robust action is taken when standards are breached.
The cases have highlighted vulnerabilities within the prison system, prompting calls for reform, including Farr Varney's campaign for age restrictions, and demonstrating the severe personal and professional consequences for those who abuse their position of authority.
