A corrupt prison officer broke down in tears as a judge sentenced her for sending an explicit video to an inmate after 'falling in love' with him.
Jennifer Gavan got into an 'inappropriate' relationship with prisoner Alex Coxon who was being held at HMP Berwyn in Wales, where she was working in April 2020.
Coxon, 25, bribed Gavan with £150 to give him a mobile phone, which they used to secretly conduct their relationship.
A court heard the pair were rumbled after Coxon's phone was discovered underneath a laptop in his cell, with 'explicit' videos found on it which had been sent through Snapchat, North Wales Live reports.
Gavan later admitted to sending the image and that she'd kissed Coxon, an inmate with a track record of drugs, robbery and attempted robbery.
Prosecutor David Mainstone told Mold Crown Court that prison authorities had received intelligence of a possible relationship between the pair at the Wrexham jail, which held 2,000 inmates.
Gavan had initially refused to provide the PIN for her own phone, Mr Mainstone said, but cell data showed contact between the pair.
Gavan was described by her own barrister as having "immaturity with an element of naivety", but had shown "empathy" for inmates unable to see visitors during the Covid lockdowns.
Maria Masselis said Gavan was "manipulated" into thinking she was in a relationship.
"She still struggles to explain why and how she came to be doing the things that she was doing," Ms Masselis told the court.
"It was obviously a particularly low point in her life. She had just come out of a very lengthy relationship."
The barrister added: "She felt ill-equipped to deal with a wing of 80 male prisoners, on occasions on her own for periods of time."
Judge Niclas Perry expressed "surprise" after HMP Berwyn staff wrote in support of Gavan, while criticising other employees at the prison.
"That is a matter I think should be brought to the attention of the authorities at the prison."
Judge Parry said: "The courts must make it clear that prison officers who misconduct themselves will face immediate custody in almost every circumstance."
Mobile phones undermined prison safety, he added.
"You are an intelligent young lady. You held employment involving a position of trust," Judge Parry said to Gavan.
Her bank account showed two payments from the Coxon family totalling £200.
Judge Parry said she acted 'entirely out of character' and was genuinely remorseful, adding: "This matter is so serious only an immediate custodial sentence can be justified."
Gavan, of Seventh Avenue, Llay, was jailed for eight months after pleading guilty to misconduct in public office.
Coxon meanwhile was handed 10 months for having a prohibited item in jail.
The court heard Coxon, of Rhys Avenue, Kinmel Bay, 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' despite his 'appalling' record.
