Lisa Forgione, an experienced prison psychologist suspended for sending an inmate topless and bikini photographs, has been cleared to return to work by a regulatory panel.
Relationship with inmate denied
Forgione held sessions with the inmate at HMP Isle of Wight, a high-security prison. The pair did not have an inappropriate relationship until after she left her post, according to the findings. Her former patient spoke to his probation officer the same month she quit, claiming the pair were romantically involved.
Forgione denied the relationship, leading His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service to conclude "it is likely that this relationship was fabricated".
Sexual behaviour on video calls
However, the pair kept up frequent contact, and during one video call, Forgione reportedly showed snaps of "herself in a bikini and topless with her arms across her breasts". Prison bosses raised concerns over her "sexual" behaviour.
Forgione said: "I am not in a professional relationship with the prisoner, nor in a sexual, financial or emotional relationship with him and never have been."
Misconduct and return to work
The pair continued communicating, leading the Health and Care Professionals Tribunal Service to impose a suspension for misconduct. The regulatory panel has now decided the ban can be lifted, allowing her to return to work.
This follows the case of prison officer Jai Gascoyne, 25, jailed for 16 months for an illicit romance with drug gang boss Dil Nawaz, and her colleague Elle Walton, 27, jailed for 13 months for a secret fling with Nawaz's brother, Haq. Both women pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office, and the inmate brothers received an additional 12 months on their sentences.
