Prison officer Joanne Elliott sentenced to community order after forming inappropriate relationship with inmate at HMP Lowdham Grange

A former prison officer has been sentenced after admitting to forming a relationship with an inmate.

Joanne Mary Elliott began work as a prison officer at HMP Lowdham Grange, in March, 2018.

In January, 2019, suspicions were raised around her conduct with one particular prisoner.

A subsequent investigation found that she had not only given him preferential treatment, but had conversed with him over the prison’s managed phone system under false names.

Elliott was arrested the following month, suspended from duty and subsequently sacked for breach of prison rules.

The 40-year-old was charged with misconduct in a public office.

She admitted entering into a non-sexual relationship with the man — claiming she had been controlled — and pleaded guilty at Nottingham Crown Court.

Today (Thursday) Elliott, of Moorland Close in Sutton-in-Ashfield, was sentenced to an 18-month community order, 50 hours of unpaid work and a 30-hour rehabilitation course.

Detective Inspector Jim Heggs, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) said: “Joanne Elliott’s actions to conceal her relationship with this prisoner were not only an abuse of her position but also a violation of trust, and that is something we cannot ignore.

“We work closely with the Prison and Probation Service to ensure we protect against anything or anyone who could undermine the integrity and security of their establishments, and take very seriously any suggestion of misconduct among those entrusted to assist in the management of criminals.”