© Tom Blewitt & Zack Griffiths – HMP Prisons Justice Group
A prison officer has been jailed after admitting to having a sexual relationship with an inmate at HMP Birmingham.
Shania Begum, 25, had worked at the Category B prison since December 2018. Concerns were raised by colleagues who noticed she was repeatedly taking a specific prisoner into areas not visible to other staff or inmates.
Although she claimed she was supervising him, an internal investigation found that she had in fact entered into a sexual relationship with the inmate while on duty.
Begum was arrested on 3 October 2022. During police questioning, she did not answer questions.
The case was heard at Birmingham Crown Court, where she pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office.
She was sentenced to 16 months in prison.
Sexual relationships between prison staff and inmates are prohibited due to the imbalance of power and the risks they pose to safety and security within prisons. Such conduct is treated as a serious breach of duty and public trust.
HMP Prisons Justice Group 