A prison officer has been jailed after entering a relationship with a prisoner and sending him 'explicit' images. Jennifer Gavan, 27, wept as she was jailed for eight months after pleading guilty to misconduct in public office after starting an inappropriate relationship with a male prisoner.
Gavan was accused of entering into an inappropriate relationship with prisoner Alex Coxon, now 25, accepting £150 to bring a mobile phone into the jail, and communicating with him via a phone held illegally while working at HMP Berwyn, which houses more than 2000 inmates.
According to NorthWalesLive, Judge Niclas Parry said there were references for Gavan. But he declared: "I express my surprise that employees at HMP Berwyn are writing in support of her and are critical of other employees at Berwyn. That is a matter I think should be brought to the attention of the authorities at the prison."
Coxon, who had previous convictions for drugs, robbery and attempted robbery was jailed for ten months after admitting to the prohibited item. Prosecutor David Mainstone told the court the discovery was made after a tip-off about a possible relationship.
After a search, a phone was found hidden under a prison laptop which contained sexual images of a woman. Gavan accepted contact with Coxon using Snapchat, sending a snap of herself and kissing the inmate.
Mr Mainstone said she refused to disclose the PIN for her mobile phone. But Gavan had made 'sexually explicit' videos of herself. Call data showed contact between the pair. Maria Masselis, defending, said Gavan had come to court with a packed bag.
She added: "My client knows the position she faces. She can’t take any more waiting for her fate. She still struggles to explain why and how she came to be doing the things that she was doing. It was obviously a particularly low point in her life. She had just come out of a very lengthy relationship."
Ms Masselis said Gavan had 'self-esteem issues' but was particularly empathetic towards inmates during Covid lockdown, when there were no family visits. "She felt ill-equipped to deal with a wing of 80 male prisoners, on occasions on her own for periods of time," she said.
The barrister said there was 'immaturity and an element of naivety' and Gavan felt 'manipulated' into believing she was in a relationship with Coxon. She'd expressed love for him and sent images.
Gavan, a former shop assistant manager, had been raised by an upstanding family, the court heard. She had formed a new relationship during the delay in bringing the case and had a seven-month-old baby son.
Ms Masselis added: "She says her conduct in relation to these matters feels as if it relates to a different person."
Judge Parry said that mobile phones undermine prison safety. Gavan's bank accounts showed two payments totalling £200 from the Coxon family.
The court heard that she acted 'entirely out of character' and was genuinely remorseful. But Judge Parry said: "This matter is so serious only an immediate custodial sentence can be justified."
"You are an intelligent young lady. You held employment involving a position of trust." Judge Parry said to Gavan.
Coxon had been caught trying to pass a phone to another inmate, using dental floss to drag it across a corridor. Defence barrister Simon Rogers said he’d since “done his best to turn his life around”.
The judge said Coxon had an “appalling” record.
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