Beverley Frank, a 42-year-old female prison custody officer, pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office after engaging in a secret relationship with an inmate at HMP Millsike, a men's prison near Full Sutton, Yorkshire. The relationship came to light during routine monitoring of prisoner communications, leading to her arrest and conviction.
Discovery of the Relationship
Michael Masson, prosecuting at Hull Crown Court, detailed how the prison's head of IT reviewed sample emails, text messages, and phone calls as part of standard monitoring of inmates' external communications. On September 15, emails from one prisoner were examined, revealing a relationship with a woman called "Jess Richardson." The emails contained photographs of her in red underwear, with part of her face visible and a tongue piercing. Additional messages from a woman named "Jess Love" showed knowledge of prison procedures.
The IT head alerted a prison intelligence officer, who cross-referenced the images with current female employees, identifying Frank. The intelligence officer obtained permission to monitor the prisoner's phone conversations and compiled records of exchanges between him and "Jess Love," who was actually Frank.
Confrontation and Admission
On September 20, as Frank arrived for her 8 a.m. shift, she was isolated by the intelligence officer and a security team member. Initially denying any contact beyond professional duties, she later admitted, "Do you know what? Yes, I have been doing it. I know it's wrong." She was arrested, and a mobile phone was confiscated, containing the intimate images. There was no evidence she supplied a phone or drugs to the prisoner.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Frank had a prior conviction for a separate matter. Amber Hobson, mitigating, noted that Frank entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity. "She made admissions when she was confronted by staff about her behaviour and she has never tried to hide what she has done," said Hobson. Frank, a mother, had engaged positively with probation services and was deemed suitable for community-based support rather than custody. "She does not excuse her behaviour," Hobson added. "She is candid, upfront and she takes responsibility. This is not a case of someone actively abusing a position of power. This is someone making an incredibly foolish mistake."
Frank acknowledged receiving training about the risks of developing relationships with inmates. "She had training and she knows that what she did was wrong and that she ought not to have done it," said Hobson.
Judge's Remarks
Judge John Thackray KC addressed Frank, stating: "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. I accept that your remorse is sincere and profound."
Sentence
Frank, from Albany Road, Leeds, received an eight-month suspended prison sentence, along with 100 hours of unpaid work, 15 days of rehabilitation, and a one-year ban from contacting the prisoner. Her mobile phone was subject to a deprivation order. Judge Thackray warned: "If you breach the order, it's likely that you will have to serve the sentence of eight months."
HMP Millsike, a privately-run facility on Moor Lane in Full Sutton, began operations in March 2025 and is promoted as the UK's first all-electric, eco-friendly prison, with capacity for 1,468 male resettlement prisoners.
