A former prison tutor from Wiltshire has been jailed after admitting she had a sexual relationship with a serving prisoner.
Following an investigation by counter corruption officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) Kelly Duffey, 36, of Amesbury, Wiltshire, was charged with two counts of misconduct in public office.
Between July and September 2024, whilst employed as a prison tutor at HMP Erlestoke near Devizes, Duffey had an intimate relationship with prisoner Ashley Goodridge, 38, formerly of London.
During the investigation, officers searched Goodridge’s cell and found a mobile phone which he had used to communicate with Duffey.
He pleaded guilty to having and using an illicit mobile phone and has had his current prison sentence extended by 12 months.
On Friday, May 1, Duffey appeared at Winchester Crown Court, where she was jailed for 12 months.
SWROCU Counter Corruption Investigator PC Mark Paterson said: “The conduct displayed by Kelly Duffey will not be tolerated within a prison estate. She may not have been a prison Officer or directly employed by HMPPS, but she was in a position of trust as an education tutor, a key role in prisoner rehabilitation.
"She misconducted herself and neglected her duty over an extended period of time, which compromised the safety of other staff and inmates.
“The SWROCU Counter Corruption Unit will continue to work alongside HMPPS and the CPS to bring to justice anyone working within the prison estate who commits criminal acts.”
Andrew Eddy of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Those working in prisons are trusted to uphold strict professional boundaries between themselves and inmates.
“Duffey’s actions amounted to a serious breach of that trust and fell well below the standards expected of prison staff.”
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