Prison officer caught sneaking into cupboard with inmate she ‘proper fell in love with’ is jailed

A prison officer caught sneaking into a cupboard with an inmate she was having an inappropriate relationship with has been jailed.

Morgan Farr Varney, 24, admitted she had ‘proper fallen in love’ with the prisoner while working at HMP Lindholme in 2022.

A search of the inmate’s cell revealed love letters from the officer. Others were recovered from Farr Varney’s bedroom when her home was searched.

CCTV footage also showed the pair entering a cupboard and ‘loitering’ together on a wing during her employment at Lindholme.

Farr Varney pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office at Sheffield Crown Court last month and was sentenced to 10 months in jail at the same court on Friday.

The court heard that after joining HM Prison Service as an officer, Farr Varney did a training programme on anti-corruption, along with input on conditioning from inmates and how to spot it.

She was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in January 2023.

During her interview she told police she had ‘f****** her life up’.

Following her arrest, Farr Varney resigned from her role at HMP Lindholme but continued the relationship, despite her partner moving to HMP Wealstun.

Officers found a series of photographs of Farr Varney in the inmate’s new cell.

Detective Constable Scott Jarvis said: ‘We take any reports of improper relationships between prison staff and inmates incredibly seriously and conduct thorough investigations to ensure those who are guilty of these offences are brought to justice.

‘These types of relationships are thankfully rare, but when they do happen, they threaten to undermine the reputation of the prison service and other hard-working prison officers who abide by the rules and regulations attached to the job.

‘Staff at HMPPS Counter Corruption Unit supported us throughout our investigation and I want to thank them for their cooperation.

‘I hope this sentencing sends out a clear message to any prison officers thinking of committing similar offences that if you engage in this type of criminality, you will be investigated by police and you will be brought to justice.’

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