Young prison officer Megan Breen, 23, escapes jail after having sex with an inmate she met on night duty and sending over 500 explicit texts.
CARDIFF, WALES – A 23-year-old former prison staff member has been spared a jail term after admitting to a serious breach of professional conduct.
Megan Breen, who worked as an operational support staff member at two prisons in South Wales, was handed a suspended sentence for misconduct in a public office, following an inappropriate relationship with a convicted drug dealer.
Cardiff Crown Court heard details of the three-month-long affair, which began while the inmate was serving time at HMP Prescoed, a Category D open prison.
Prosecutors stated that Breen and the prisoner exchanged over 550 text messages, many of which were described as “racy,” during her night shifts.
The relationship culminated in a physical encounter after Breen traveled approximately 175 miles from her home in Gwent to Liverpool to meet the inmate while he was on temporary home release. The two met for drinks before going back to a hotel room together.
The court was told that the misconduct came to light when Breen confessed to a colleague, William Morgan. Breen recounted her trip to Liverpool and admitted to having sex with an inmate she had met through her work.
Initially, Mr. Morgan expressed disbelief, but Breen confirmed the details, pointing out the prisoner’s photograph on a screen.
Breen, a single and expectant mother, had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge but later changed her plea. A second allegation of illegally accessing a computer was not pursued by the prosecution.
In her sentencing, Breen received a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for a period of time. She was also ordered to complete a 15-day rehabilitation requirement and pay £500 in costs at a rate of £50 per month.
The judge’s decision to suspend the sentence means that Breen will not serve time in prison as long as she adheres to the conditions of her sentence.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the ethical and legal boundaries that govern the relationship between prison staff and inmates.
The breach of trust and the potential for compromising prison security are considered highly serious offenses, even when a custodial sentence is not ultimately imposed.