A former officer at HMP Wandsworth has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after being recorded engaging in sexual activity with an inmate.
Linda De Sousa Abreu was recognized by senior prison officials after the video was disseminated online and rapidly gained widespread attention.
The governor of Wandsworth Prison remarked that Abreu’s conduct had effectively reversed years of progress made by female staff in male-only facilities in less than a day.
At the age of 30, Abreu was apprehended at Heathrow Airport while attempting to board a flight to Madrid with her father. She had previously entered a guilty plea for misconduct in public office.
In a written statement presented to Isleworth Crown Court, Andrew Davy, the governor of Wandsworth Prison, noted that numerous female employees had reported an increase in unwanted advances from inmates, leading to a perception that they were now “considered fair game.”
The incident occurred at Wandsworth Prison between June 26 and June 28.
The court was informed that an additional recording of Abreu engaging in a sexual act with the same inmate was discovered on her prison-issued body-worn camera, and she acknowledged having sexual relations with that inmate on another occasion.
Judge Martin Edmunds KC indicated that the viral video was not an isolated incident but rather indicative of a pattern of behavior.
A representative from the Prison Service stated, “While the vast majority of Prison Service staff are dedicated and honest, we are increasingly identifying the small minority who violate regulations by enhancing our Counter Corruption Unit and improving our vetting procedures. Today’s sentencing illustrates our commitment to taking decisive action against officers who fail to meet our high standards.”
The Prison Officers’ Association (POA), which represents prison personnel, acknowledged the existence of a small number of corrupt staff members who compromise the integrity of their colleagues’ work.
