Beverley Frank, a 42-year-old prison custody officer at HMP Millsike, sent intimate photographs of herself, including images of her wearing red underwear, to an inmate after striking up a secret relationship with him. The explicit exchanges came to light during routine monitoring of prisoners' communications, leading to her arrest and conviction for misconduct in public office.
Relationship Exposed Through Email Monitoring
The relationship occurred between August 26 and September 21 last year. Michael Masson, prosecuting at Hull Crown Court, explained that sample emails, text messages, and phone calls were scrutinised by the prison's head of IT as part of routine surveillance. On September 15, emails from one inmate revealed he had begun a relationship with a woman purportedly called 'Jess Richardson'. The emails contained photographs of her dressed in red underwear with portions of her face visible, and she had a tongue piercing. Additional messages from a woman named 'Jess Love' appeared knowledgeable about internal prison procedures.
Identification and Arrest
The IT department head contacted a prison intelligence officer, who cross-referenced the images with current female employees and identified Frank as a match. The intelligence officer obtained authorisation to track the inmate's phone conversations, establishing a record of exchanges between him and 'Jess Love'—in reality, Frank. When Frank arrived for her 8am shift on September 20, she was separated from colleagues and taken for questioning. Initially denying any relationship 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 seized containing the photographs. There was no suggestion she had given a phone or drugs to the prisoner.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Frank pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office at the earliest opportunity. Amber Hobson, mitigating, stated: 'She made admissions when she was confronted by staff about her behaviour and she has never tried to hide what she has done.' Hobson emphasised that Frank had cooperated with probation services and was suitable for community assistance rather than jail. 'She does not excuse her behaviour. 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,' Hobson added.
Judge John Thackray KC remarked: '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.' He accepted that Frank's remorse was 'sincere and profound'.
Sentence and Conditions
Frank, of Albany Road, Leeds, received an eight-month suspended prison sentence, 100 hours of unpaid work, 15 days of rehabilitation, and a one-year ban from contacting the prisoner. A deprivation order was made for her mobile phone. Judge Thackray warned: 'If you breach the order, it's likely that you will have to serve the sentence of eight months.'
Privately-operated HMP Millsike, in Moor Lane, Full Sutton, opened in March last year as the country's first all-electric, eco-friendly prison, with capacity for 1,468 male resettlement prisoners.
