"Handwritten letters from Melissa Murphy, formerly Melissa O'Brien, 49, containing explicit romantic and sexual content were found in a HMP Chelmsford prisoner's cell, and a photo of the inmate was found at her home, Chelmsford Crown Court heard."
"On 8 December 2023, Murphy requested that the prisoner be brought to the workshop despite there being no scheduled class that day, Judge Jamie Sawyer said. This unusual request raised concern. You were later found alone with him in a locked room, appearing flustered when the door was opened, he said."
"On Friday at the same court, Judge Sawyer said: Ms Murphy your offending is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified. You held a position of trust within a prison and abused that trust by engaging in a romantic relationship with a prisoner, exposing yourself to corruption and undermining confidence in the prison system."
Melissa Murphy, a 49-year-old prison tutor, was jailed for eight months after admitting misconduct in a public office. Handwritten letters with explicit romantic and sexual content and a photo of the inmate were found. In a disciplinary interview she admitted writing love letters and locking herself in a workshop with the prisoner but denied any physical relationship. She began a vocational training role in 2020 and was arrested on 11 December 2023; her teaching role was terminated. She pleaded guilty on 28 November to misconduct in public office. A sim card and correspondence suggesting private contact were found during investigations.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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