A prison officer from Rawmarsh who developed a romantic relationship with an inmate has been sentenced in court
Chelsieย Stephenson, 27, was working at HMP Doncaster in December 2018 when colleagues suspected she might be in a relationship with a serving prisoner.
Concerns were reported to South Yorkshire Police Prison Investigation Team, and Stephenson was subsequently arrested in January 2019.
Police searched the home of Stephenson after the arrest and discovered a mobile phone showing communication, including intimate messages, between Stephenson and the inmate.
Investigating officer, DC Christian Borum, said: โStephenson admitted being in a relationship with a prisoner following her arrest.โ
โThe public rightly expects a high standard of behaviour from prison officers, and Stephenson did not uphold these standards.
โIt is important we continue to reinforce the message that behaviour like this will not be tolerated.โ
Stephenson, of Creighton Avenue, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on (12 June) to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, 200 hours of unpaid work and must attend 30 rehabilitation days.
She had pleaded guilty to charges of misconduct in a public office.
The inmate with whom Stephenson was in a relationship had been jailed for drugs offences in February 2018. He was arrested and remanded in connection with this offence and was ordered to serve an additional 20 weeks in prison.
