Prison Officer jailed for having relationship with inmate

A Prison Officer who had an inappropriate relationship with a serving prisoner was sentenced last week at Manchester Crown Court (Friday 16 August).

Claire Lloyd, 47, of Clapgates Crescent, Warrington pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office and was sentenced to eight months imprisonment.

Prisoner Andrew Hall, has had an extra nine months added onto his sentence.

Lloyd, who worked at HMP Manchester from December 2019 to October 2022, admitted that she was in a relationship with a serving prisoner and that they spoke and texted via mobile phones.

The court heard that she was arrested in September 2023 on suspicion of misconduct in public office following a joint investigation with the National Team of HMPPS Counter Corruption Unit and the police from the NWROCU's Prison Counter Corruption Unit after inmates began accusing her of having a connection with one of them.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris McClellan from the North-West Regional Organised Crime Unit’s Prison Anti-Corruption Unit, said:

“There is an expectation from the public that prison staff be entrusted to safeguard the security, good order and discipline of those under their supervision.  Where an inappropriate relationship between staff and prisoners develop, this greatly undermines that trust.”

“Despite completing corruption prevention training at the prison, Lloyd ignored everything she had learned and went on to have a relationship with an inmate anyway.

"She attended two support groups in prison and was questioned about a relationship with an inmate, but she denied all claims, claiming they were'malicious'.

“Text messages uncovered messages between Lloyd and Hall in which they discussed their love for each other, and even marriage.

“We want to reassure the honest, dedicated, and hardworking prison staff that through partnership working with HMP Manchester and the HMPPS Counter Corruption Unit, we will continue to take action against people who choose to engage in corrupt activity.  We encourage anyone who has information about corruption in our prisons to report it.”