Beverley Frank, a 42-year-old prison custody officer at HMP Millsike in Yorkshire, has been sentenced for misconduct in public office after sending intimate photographs of herself, including images in red underwear, to an inmate. The relationship was uncovered during routine monitoring of the prisoner's communications at the men's prison near Pocklington.
Relationship Uncovered Through Email Monitoring
Michael Masson, prosecuting at Hull Crown Court, explained that the prison's head of IT examined sample emails, text messages, and phone calls as part of monitoring inmates' external communications. On September 15, 2025, a review of one prisoner's emails revealed a relationship with a woman using the alias "Jess Richardson." The emails included photographs of a woman in red underwear, with part of her face visible and a tongue piercing. Further messages from a woman called "Jess Love" showed knowledge of prison procedures.
The head of IT alerted a prison intelligence officer, who cross-referenced the images with current female staff members. The photographs were identified as belonging to Frank. The intelligence officer then monitored the prisoner's telephone calls, compiling a record of conversations between the inmate and "Jess Love"—who was confirmed to be Frank.
Arrest and Confession
When Frank reported for her 8am shift on September 20, 2025, she was met by the intelligence officer and a security staff member. She was separated from other staff and questioned. Initially denying any involvement beyond work, she later admitted: "Do you know what? Yes, I have been doing it. I know it's wrong." Frank was arrested, and her mobile phone was confiscated, revealing the photographs. There was no evidence that she had supplied a phone or drugs to the prisoner.
Frank had a previous conviction for an unrelated offence. Amber Hobson, mitigating, stated that Frank pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and made admissions when confronted. "She does not excuse her behaviour," said Hobson. "She is candid, upfront and she takes responsibility. She understands that the reason that she sits in the dock is the result of her own actions."
Defence and Sentencing
Hobson argued that this was not a case of smuggling drugs or phones, or actively abusing a position of power, but rather "an incredibly foolish mistake." Frank acknowledged receiving training about the risks of developing relationships with inmates. "She had training and she knows that what she did was wrong and that she ought not to have done it," Hobson added.
Judge John Thackray KC told Frank: "All offences of this kind are serious. You formed a relationship with a prisoner at HMP Millsike. You were working as a prison custody officer, a trusted position. The forming of a relationship in these circumstances causes serious jeopardy to the safety and security of the prison and those within it, both inmates and staff." He accepted that her remorse was sincere and profound.
Sentence and Conditions
Frank, of Albany Road, Leeds, received an eight-month suspended prison sentence, 100 hours of unpaid work, 15 days of rehabilitation, and a one-year ban from contacting the prisoner. A deprivation order was issued for her mobile phone. Judge Thackray warned: "If you breach the order, it's likely that you will have to serve the sentence of eight months."
Privately-operated HMP Millsike, which opened in March 2025, is described as the UK's first all-electric, eco-friendly prison, with capacity for 1,468 male resettlement prisoners.
