03 January 2023 , 21:06
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Three female guards have been jailed for having illicit affairs with inmates at the biggest prison in the UK.
Anti-corruption training has been launched at Berwyn prison, Wrexham, Wales, where Jennifer Gavan, 27, Ayshea Gunn, 27, and Emily Watson, 26, had affairs with prisoners.
Gavan pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office between April and July 2020 at Berwyn, Birmingham Live reports.
She was accused of entering into an inappropriate relationship with prisoner Alex Coxon, now 25.
Gavan was also accused of accepting £150 to bring a mobile phone into the jail and communicating with him via a phone held illegally.
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Alex is now 25 (WALES NEWS SERVICE)
Alex Coxon pictured outside Wrexham Magistrates Court (© Andrew Price / View Finder Pictures)Judge Niclas Parry said: "I express my surprise that employees at HMP Berwyn are writing in support of her and are critical of other employees at Berwyn.
"That is a matter I think should be brought to the attention of the authorities at the prison."
Ayshea Gunn was jailed in 2019 (WALES NEWS SERVICE)
Khuram Razaq was described as 'dangerous' (WALES NEWS SERVICE)In 2019, Gunn had a fling with "dangerous" Khuram Razaq, 29, who was a lag serving twelve years for conspiracy to rob.
That same year, Watson was jailed for performing a sex act on an inmate in his cell on Christmas Day.
Emily Watson was jailed for performing a sex act on an inmate (WALES NEWS SERVICE)
John McGee was serving eight years for death by dangerous driving (WALES NEWS SERVICE)Watson had become infatuated with prisoner John McGee, who was serving eight years for death by dangerous driving.
A Prison Service spokesman said: "The overwhelming majority of Prison Service staff are hardworking and dedicated and we will not hesitate to punish those who break the rules.
Jennifer Gavan pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office (WALES NEWS SERVICE)"Over 500 members of staff at HMP Berwyn have undertaken corruption prevention training in the last 18 months and our enhanced security is protecting the prison against attempts to smuggle illicit items inside."
Prison staff are being vetted every ten years and the service is piloting social media checks for some "higher risk" roles such as prison officers.
The three guards had illicit affairs with inmates at HMP Berwyn in Wrexham, Wales (Getty Images)Enhanced gate security has also been introduced in a bid to stop guards from smuggling illicit items behind bars.
The Prison Service said the most recent independent inspection into HMP Berwyn in Wales found security arrangements were good.
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