Sex in prisons

A Freedom of information request has found that 18 female staff had sex with inmates at a prison that pioneered a liberal approach to incarceration.

HMP Berwyn, in Wrexham, was christened Britain's 'cushiest jail' because of its liberal policies and emphasis on "rehabilitation". One prison officer, Ayshea Gunn, snapped a picture of herself and robber Khuram Razaq kissing while on duty.

They had a four-month affair, during which she bought him clothes, and engaged in sexual activity. Their affair was discovered when she published pictures online. She was subsequently jailed for a year. 

Similarly Emily Watson and John McGee had Christmas Day sex in his cell. Ms Watson seemingly became infatuated with Mr McGee, who was serving eight-years for causing death by dangerous driving. She was also jailed for a year.

Jennifer Gavan, 27, gave a mobile phone to Alex Coxon, 25. He had a record of drug offences and robbery. She also sent him explicit material on the social media platform, Snapchat. 

The 18 women, including full-time officers and contract staff, were sacked or resigned after their affairs were exposed during the jail's first six years. Three of the women were jailed for misconduct in a public office. 

The prison, which had capacity to house 2,000 offenders, pioneered the creation of a more "domestic" environment. The intent being to foster rehabilitation, consequently the cells were rebranded as rooms, prison blocks became "communities", and inmates were provided with laptops when they arrived.

However prison officers say inexperienced staff were exploited by "very experienced" offenders and flaws in recruitment meant governors were not able to have face-to-face interviews to select their own staff. Instead, they were recruited centrally through assessment tests and Zoom interviews. 

In general 36 women officers have been sacked over relationships in the past three years.