A former HMP Wandsworth prison officer has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after being filmed engaging in sexual activity with an inmate.
Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, was identified by senior prison staff after the video was widely shared online and quickly went viral. Abreu, who had pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office, was arrested at Heathrow Airport while attempting to board a flight to Madrid with her father.
The governor of HMP Wandsworth, Andrew Davy, condemned Abreu’s actions, stating that her behaviour had “taken less than a day” to undo the many years of hard work by female staff in all-male prisons. He highlighted the negative impact the incident had on the perception of female staff within the prison, noting that many had reported an increase in inappropriate attention from inmates. These staff members were now being “considered fair game.”
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The incident occurred between 26 and 28 June, when Abreu and the inmate were filmed engaging in sexual activity inside a prison cell. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that investigations were ongoing into the two prisoners identified in the video.
Further disturbing evidence came to light during the trial when it was revealed that a recording of Abreu performing a sex act with the same inmate had been found on her prison-issued body-worn camera. Abreu admitted to having sex with the inmate on this additional occasion. Judge Martin Edmunds KC stated that the viral video was “not an isolated incident” but part of repeated behaviour.
A spokesperson for the Prison Service commented: “While the overwhelming majority of Prison Service staff are hardworking and honest, we’re catching more of the small minority who break the rules by bolstering our Counter Corruption Unit and strengthening our vetting processes. As today’s sentencing demonstrates, where officers fall below our high standards, we won’t hesitate to take robust action.”
The Prison Officers’ Association, which represents prison staff, acknowledged that while the vast majority of staff are committed to their roles, a small number of corrupt officers undermine the work of others and damage the reputation of the service.
