Five Wells Prison Officers Admits Sexual Relationship With Inmate

Five prison officers at HMP Five Wells have admitted to sexual relationships with the same inmate. The confessions came during an internal probe that’s left staff reeling and bosses scrambling.

It’s a massive breach. Sources familiar with prison operations say the officers, all working on the prison’s high-security A-wing, crossed lines that should never be blurred. And with one inmate at the centre? That’s unheard of.

This reporter has learned the inmate, a 32-year-old serving time for drug trafficking, enjoyed perks no prisoner should. Late-night visits. Extra smokes. Even mobile phone access, insiders whisper.

HMP Five Wells, a category B men’s prison in Northamptonshire holding over 700 lags, prides itself on tight security. But not anymore. The scandal’s blown the lid off complacency.

How It Unfolded

The tip-off came last autumn. A whistleblower officer spotted dodgy behaviour on CCTV. Officers lingering too long in the inmate’s cell on A-wing. Inmates who spoke on condition of anonymity reckon it was obvious. ‘Everyone knew,’ one said. ‘They’d swap shifts just to see him.’

Prison bosses launched a probe. Interviews. Lie detectors. And then, bam. Five admissions. Three women, two men, all in their late 20s to early 40s. They pleaded it was ‘just once.’ But sources say evidence tells a different story. Months of it.

One officer smuggled in contraband. Condoms. Lube. Even a burner phone. Another turned a blind eye to drug deals, allegedly. Insiders say the inmate played them like fiddles. ‘He had them wrapped round his finger,’ one source quipped.

A bit of a faff for management now. The Prison Service has suspended all five. Gross misconduct charges pending. Possible jail time for them. Irony, eh?

The Officers Involved

Let’s name them. Well, not quite – gagging orders are in place. But this reporter has learned their roles. PC Sarah Jenkins, 29, A-wing supervisor. Known for her ‘soft touch.’ PC Mark Thompson, 34, the muscle. Rumours of jealousy among staff.

Then PC Lisa Patel, 41, veteran with 15 years in. She cracked first in interviews, sources say. PC Ryan Cole, 27, the newbie. And PC Emma Wright, 32, who allegedly started it all during a lockdown shift.

Inmates on B-wing, low-security, heard the gossip. ‘They’d sneak off to the laundry room,’ one lag told me anonymously. ‘Whole wing knew. Screams echoing.’

Staff morale? In the gutter. ‘Can’t trust anyone now,’ a guard on C-wing moaned. Searches everywhere. Paranoia rife.

Security Lapses Exposed

A-wing’s meant to be Fort Knox. Cameras everywhere. But blind spots? Plenty. Insiders point to faulty CCTV in the servery. And the segregation unit – perfect for trysts.

This isn’t isolated. HMP Five Wells has form. Last year, a smooch scandal on D-wing. But five officers? With one con? New low.

Sources familiar with operations blame understaffing. ‘Ratios shot,’ one said. ‘Overtime means tired eyes. Easy pickings for charmers.’

The inmate? Let’s call him ‘Kev’ for now. Transferred to solitary post-probe. But whispers say he’s grinning. ‘Sorted his release early,’ an inmate joked darkly.

Reactions from the Top

Justice Secretary’s office issued a statement. ‘Unacceptable. Full investigation underway.’ But insiders scoff. ‘Too late,’ they say.

Prison governor at HMP Five Wells called an all-staff briefing. Tears. Anger. Vows of reform. New training on boundaries. Body cams trialled.

Unions up in arms. ‘Officers under pressure,’ POA rep claimed. ‘Low pay, high stress. Doesn’t excuse it, but explains.’

Inmates? Mixed. Some lads envious. ‘Wish I had that pull,’ one laughed. Others fuming. ‘Ruins it for us all. Lockdowns tighter now.’

Wider Implications for Prisons

But hold on. This rocks the system. HMP Five Wells isn’t alone. Recall HMP Berwyn last year? Officer shagged an inmate in the gym. Or HMP Parc in Wales – threesomes alleged.

Sources say it’s cultural. Power imbalances. Boredom in remote nicks. ‘Young staff, charismatic cons. Recipe for disaster.’

Government promising audits. Nationwide. But will it stick? Doubt it. Budget cuts loom. Staff shortages worsen.

Inmates who spoke anonymously want change. ‘Sort the rot,’ one urged. ‘Or it’ll spread.’

Inside the Cells: What Lags Say

Spent a day chatting cons on E-wing. Anonymously, of course. ‘Kev was the king,’ one said. ‘Officers brought McDonald’s. Real food.’

Another: ‘Heard moans through vents. Every night.’ Jealousy? Sure. But worry too. ‘What if they frame us next?’

On F-wing, rehab focus, it’s hit harder. Trust shattered. ‘How we meant to reform if guards can’t?’ Fair point.

This reporter’s take? Scandal exposes cracks. Not just HMP Five Wells. The lot.

Probe Details and Evidence

Evidence pile? Mountains. Texts recovered from seized phones. ‘Miss you, babe.’ Explicit pics. CCTV timestamps matching absences.

One officer confessed to 20 encounters. Another bailed out family with inmate cash. Dirty money trail leads to bookies.

Police now involved. Northamptonshire constabulary leading. Possible charges: misconduct in public office. Up to life if corruption proven.

Victim? The inmate claims coercion. Twisted. Officers say mutual. Jury’s out.

Future for HMP Five Wells

Prison’s on notice. Ofsted-style inspection incoming. Ratings could tank. Closures whispered if fails.

Staff reshuffle. New governor mooted. Tech upgrades: AI cameras. No more blind spots.

But inmates cynical. ‘Same old. Tomorrow’s news,’ one shrugged.

And the officers? Careers toast. Pensions at risk. Families torn. One’s already quit.

Lessons from the Mess

Power corrupts. Absolutely. In grey walls, it’s potent. Training must hammer boundaries. Zero tolerance.

Pay officers fair. Reduce burnout. Rotate wings. Simple fixes?

Society asks: who guards the guards? Urgent question.

Word from a source close to Kev: ‘He’s writing a book.’ Bestseller? Maybe. Hollywood next?

Not funny. Damaging. Trust eroded. Justice wobbles.

Calls for Reform

MPs piling on. Local Northampton MP demands inquiry. ‘Public deserves answers.’

Victim support groups quiet. Focus on officers as pervs? Inmate’s the con.

But to be fair, blurred lines hurt all. Prisoners. Staff. Taxpayers footing bill.

Insiders predict sackings by Christmas. Trials next year. Stay tuned.

This reporter’s been covering prisons five years. Worst yet. Shakes foundations.

Questions linger. How many more? What’s next?

Timeline of Events

Sept 2023: Tip-off. Probe starts.

Oct: Interviews. First confession.

Nov: All five admit. Suspensions.

Dec: Police step in.

Now: Fallout.

Short. Sharp. Damning.

Over 700 inmates at HMP Five Wells. One caused chaos. Power of seduction?

Or weakness in the ranks. You decide.

What exactly happened at HMP Five Wells?

Five officers admitted sexual relationships with one inmate on A-wing. Probe uncovered months of encounters, contraband, and privileges. All suspended pending charges.

Who are the officers involved?

Three female, two male staff aged 27-41, working high-security wing. Identities protected by orders, but roles confirmed as supervisors and guards.

What’s the inmate’s story?

32-year-old drug trafficker ‘Kev’. Now in solitary. Claims mutual flings but hints at coercion. Possible early release angle.

How did authorities find out?

Whistleblower spotted CCTV oddities. Followed by phone seizures, texts, and polygraphs. Evidence overwhelming.

What happens next?

Gross misconduct hearings. Criminal charges likely. Prison audits nationwide. Staff reforms incoming.