A prison officer has been spared an immediate jail term after engaging in a romantic relationship with an inmate, an affair a judge branded as far more serious than merely 'stupid'. Rosie Smith, 28, received a 24-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday for misconduct in public office.
The illicit relationship with Marli Casaletto, 32, saw the pair exchange approximately 300 phone calls and an undisclosed number of video calls between January and November 2023 while he was detained at HMP Rochester. Handwritten letters found at her home included declarations from Smith calling Casaletto the 'love of my life' and saying: 'Cannot wait to see what our future holds together.'
In messages to her mother, Smith acknowledged the impropriety, writing: 'Obviously doesn't look great me saying he's in prison and not only does that look bad I also work there.' She also expressed regret, adding: 'Wish I never worked where I did and all of this wouldn't have been an issue.'
Sentencing the pair, Judge Lee Harris said: 'To say this was stupid is an understatement, it was much worse than that. You both entered into this relationship with your eyes open … and knowing what you were doing was wrong.' He added that Smith had let down herself, her colleagues and everyone in the prison, risking their safety.
Smith, of Pluckley, Ashford, Kent, remained emotional during the hearing. The judge cited her lack of previous offending, strong personal mitigation and her role as primary carer for her baby son as reasons for the suspended sentence. Her barrister described her as a 'very vulnerable lady'.
Casaletto, of Brighton, received an eight-month suspended sentence for unauthorised transmission of an image or sound from prison. He was released in May 2024 and is now living with his mother, working and engaged. Both had pleaded guilty to their respective offences.
