Prison Officer Jailed for Inappropriate Relationship With Inmate

A 24-year-old female prison officer has been sentenced to 10 months in prison after admitting to a romantic and physical relationship with an inmate at HMP Lindholme in Doncaster.

Morgan Farr Varney, formerly of Stainforth, North Yorkshire, was caught on CCTV entering a cupboard with the male prisoner and loitering with him on the prison wing, Sheffield Crown Court heard. The footage led to an investigation, during which Farr Varney confessed she had "proper fell in love with him" and admitted she had "messed" her life up.

Farr Varney, who had previously appeared on This Morning discussing a personal experience related to "online dentistry," joined the prison service in April 2022. As part of her training, she completed modules on anti-corruption and how to recognise manipulation by inmates. Despite this, she began a personal relationship with a prisoner under her supervision.

The relationship came to light after officers recovered love letters from the inmate's cell. Similar letters were later found during a search of Farr Varney's bedroom. She was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in January 2023 and subsequently resigned from her role at Lindholme. The inmate involved was transferred to another facility, HMP Wealstun in Yorkshire. However, the relationship continued, and further photographs of Farr Varney were found in the inmate's possession at the new prison.

Farr Varney pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office.

Detective Constable Scott Jarvis of South Yorkshire Police's prison anti-corruption unit said:

"We take any reports of improper relationships between prison staff and inmates incredibly seriously and conduct thorough investigations to ensure those who are guilty of these offences are brought to justice.

"These types of relationships are thankfully rare, but when they do happen, they threaten to undermine the reputation of the prison service and other hard-working prison officers who abide by the rules and regulations attached to the job.

"I hope this sentencing sends out a clear message to any prison officers thinking of committing similar offences that if you engage in this type of criminality, you will be investigated by police and you will be brought to justice."

The Johnson Partnership, Nottingham