24 March 2023 , 13:51
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A former prison officer has been told she could be jailed after she admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate.
Joanne Hunter, 27, worked at HMP Forest Bank. In a pre-trial hearing at Manchester Crown Court today, she pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.
Ms Hunter conducted the relationship with an inmate in December 2020 and also admitted to a charge of bringing or conveying cannabis into the prison in the same month.
No further details of the relationship with the unnamed inmate were given.
She pleaded not guilty to bringing or conveying an unauthorised mobile phone into the prison. Ms Hunter's parents watched on in the public gallery.
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Juliette Berry, prosecuting, said an application would be made for that charge to lie on file.
Judge Rachel Smith ordered a pre-sentence report and told Ms Hunter that "immediate custody is inevitable in cases like this".
She added: "The sentencing judge will decide what sentence is appropriate in this case."
Judge Smith warned 'immediate custody is inevitable in cases like this' (STEVE ALLEN)
Hunter pleaded not guilty to bringing or conveying an unauthorised mobile phone into the prison (STEVE ALLEN)The judge bailed Ms Hunter on condition she resides at her current address and she is due to be sentenced on April 25.
Ms Hunter's LinkedIn page states that she worked as a prison officer for two years between December 2018 and December 2020.
It also states she graduated in applied social studies and gained a master's degree in childhood and youth studies at the University of Bedfordshire.
Earlier this year and in an unrelated case, three female guards from a different prison were jailed for having affairs with inmates.
Hunter was balied (STEVE ALLEN)Three prison officers working at HMP Berwyn near Wrexham were jailed for sexual and romantic relationships with inmates.
Offences saw staff sending explicit photographs, having sex in cells and intimate phone calls.
After the scandal, the Prison Service staff at HMP Berwyn went through anti-corruption prevention training.
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A 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. 'Anti-corruption prevention training' has since been launched for over 500 members of staff at the 2,100-capacity prison."