Beverley Frank, a 42-year-old prison custody officer, pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office after sending revealing photos of herself in red underwear to an inmate at HMP Millsike. The relationship was uncovered during routine monitoring of prisoner communications, when sample emails raised suspicions and were analysed.
Discovery through tongue piercing
The images were cross-referenced with photos of female prison staff, leading to Frank's identification. Prosecutor Michael Masson told Hull Crown Court that sample emails, text messages, and phone calls were scrutinised by the prison's head of IT as part of routine monitoring of prisoners' external communications. On September 15, sample emails from one prisoner were inspected, revealing a relationship with a woman allegedly named "Jess Richardson". The emails contained photos of her clad in red underwear, with part of her face visible and a tongue piercing. Messages were also received from a woman called "Jess Love", who seemed to have inside knowledge of the prison's operations.
Investigation and confession
The IT department head approached a prison intelligence officer with his findings. The images were cross-referenced with current female employees, and Frank was identified. The intelligence officer received permission to surveil the inmate's phone conversations and maintained a record of exchanges between him and "Jess Love" – who was actually Frank. When she arrived for her 8am shift on September 20, she was greeted by the intelligence officer and a security team member. She was separated from other personnel and taken for interrogation. Initially denying any involvement beyond professional duties, she later admitted: "Do you know what? Yes, I have been doing it. I know it's wrong." Frank was detained, and a mobile device was confiscated, containing the images. There was no indication that she had supplied a phone or narcotics to the inmate.
Defence and sentencing
Amber Hobson, defending, stated that Frank entered a guilty plea at the earliest chance. "She made admissions when she was confronted by staff about her behaviour and she has never tried to hide what she has done," said Miss Hobson. Frank, a mother, had engaged positively with probation services and was appropriate for community-based support rather than custody. "She does not excuse her behaviour. She is candid, upfront and she takes responsibility. She understands that the reason that she sits in the dock is the result of her own actions. This is not the type of offence where drugs or a phone were smuggled into prison. This is not a case of someone actively abusing a position of power. This is someone making an incredibly foolish mistake." Frank confessed that she had received training on the perils of forming relationships with prisoners. "She had training and she knows that what she did was wrong and that she ought not to have done it," stated Miss Hobson. "She is here and she wants to take full responsibility for that."
Judge's remarks
Judge John Thackray KC addressed Frank: "All offences of this kind are serious. You formed a relationship with a prisoner at HMP Millsike. You were working as a prison custody officer, a trusted position. The forming of a relationship in these circumstances causes serious jeopardy to the safety and security of the prison and those within it, both inmates and staff. You accept that you would have, and did, receive training as to the dangers of forming such a relationship. I accept that your remorse is sincere and profound." Frank, of Albany Road, Leeds, was handed an eight-month suspended prison sentence, 100 hours' unpaid work, 15 days' rehabilitation, and a one-year prohibition from contacting the prisoner. A deprivation order was issued for her mobile phone. "If you breach the order, it's likely that you will have to serve the sentence of eight months," warned Judge Thackray.
