A former prison officer from Staffordshire has admitted to misconduct in a public office following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a male inmate at HMP Dovegate.
Guilty Plea Entered at Derby Crown Court
Sarah Barnett, 31, from Rugeley, pleaded guilty during a brief hearing at Derby Crown Court to wilfully misconducting herself while holding public office. The five-minute hearing revealed no specific details about the offence, but confirmed the charges related to an illicit relationship with a prisoner.
Barnett, who previously worked at HMP Dovegate in Uttoxeter, a Category B male prison, was released on conditional bail and will learn her sentence on January 7. She faces a potential jail term for her actions.
Career Change Following Prison Service Departure
Since leaving the Prison Service, Barnett has completely changed career paths and now works as a self-employed beauty therapist. She operates under the business name Beauty By Sarah, specialising in cosmetic brow and lash services.
The HD Brows trained specialist expressed satisfaction with her new career direction in a social media post last August, writing: 'So happy my new career is going well. Thank you for all your support.' Her business has received positive reviews from clients for its aesthetic services.
Growing Pattern of Prison Staff Misconduct
Barnett's case represents the latest in a series of similar incidents involving prison staff and inappropriate relationships with inmates. Last month, Heather Pinchbeck, 28, formerly a prison guard, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court to making illicit phone calls to a violent inmate she met while on duty.
In another recent case from September, prison cashier Yolanda Briggs, 52, received an eight-month jail sentence after admitting to having a sexual relationship with an inmate. The relationship was exposed when the prisoner bragged about it to other inmates, leading to reports to authorities.
Barnett's mother had initially indicated to the Daily Mail that her daughter would deny the charges, stating: 'We don't really know what it is all about.' However, the former prison officer has now formally admitted guilt through her legal representatives.
