A female prison guard has been jailed for having an illicit relationship with a murderer at HMP Berwyn, the UK's largest prison. Jennifer Gavan, 27, pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office after engaging in an inappropriate relationship with inmate Alex Coxon, 25, who is serving a life sentence for murder.
Gavan was also found to have accepted £150 to smuggle a mobile phone into the prison and communicated with Coxon via an illegally held phone. The offences occurred between April and July 2020. She was sentenced at Mold Crown Court.
Judge Niclas Parry expressed surprise that some employees at HMP Berwyn had written letters of support for Gavan, criticising other staff. He said the matter should be brought to the attention of prison authorities.
Gavan is the third female guard from Berwyn to be jailed for affairs with inmates. In 2019, Ayshea Gunn, 27, was jailed for a fling with 'dangerous' prisoner Khuram Razaq, 29, who was serving 12 years for conspiracy to rob. Another officer was jailed for performing a sex act on inmate John McGee, serving eight years for death by dangerous driving, on Christmas Day.
A Prison Service spokesman said the majority of staff are hardworking and dedicated, and those who break rules will be punished. Over 500 staff at Berwyn have undergone corruption prevention training in the last 18 months, and enhanced security measures have been introduced to prevent smuggling.
