Prison officer who 'proper fell in love' with inmate jailed

A female prison officer who “proper fell in love” with an inmate has been jailed in the UK.

Morgan Farr Varney, 24, was caught entering a cupboard with the male prisoner at HMP Lindholme in Doncaster, a court heard.

A court heard how her illicit relationship was exposed after CCTV of the pair emerged showing them “loitering” together, Sheffield Crown Court was told.

Following her arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public officer, she admitted that she “proper fell in love with him” and said she had “f—-d” her life up.

Farr Varney was jailed for 10 months after the Sheffield court heard she began a physical and romantic relationship with the inmate while she was employed as a prison officer.

Morgan Farr Varney pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office. (ITV)

After joining in April 2022, Farr Varney entered a training programme involving anti-corruption as well as input on conditioning from inmates and how to spot it.

However, CCTV evidence showed Farr Varney entering a cupboard with the inmate during her course of employment and loitering with him on a wing.

A search of the inmate’s cell led to the recovery of love letters, with officers finding letters of a similar nature during a search of Farr Varney’s bedroom.

Farr Varney was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in January 2023. After being released on bail, she resigned from her role at Lindholme, with the inmate transferred to another prison.

However, their relationship continued, with officers recovering more photographs of Farr Varney from the inmate at HMP Wealstun, W Yorks.

Farr Varney, of Stainforth, N Yorks, pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office.

Det Con 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.

“Staff at HMPPS Counter Corruption Unit supported us throughout our investigation and I want to thank them for their cooperation.

“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.”