The Prison Service has booted out hundreds of corrupt civilian workers in the past five years.
At least 480 – including nurses, teachers and contractors – faced disciplinary action for handing lags drugs, weapons or phones or for forming inappropriate relationships.
A source said: “The trend is going up and suggests the wrong sort of people are being allowed in prisons.
“Violent attacks and the influx of drugs such as Spice are making prisons a terrifying place. Having corrupt people free to come and go as they choose creates a massive challenge.
"Their issues will only fuel the problems that already exist behind bars.”
Figures obtained by the Sunday People show that the 480 axed between 2012 and 2017 compared with 102 in 2017 and 86 in 2016. The rise is 18 per cent year on year.
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In July, 2017, HMP Moorland prison nurse Elizabeth Hutton was jailed for 20 months after smuggling a mobile in to share sexy texts with an inmate.
The stats also show 19 prison officers were dismissed in 2017 – six for smuggling contraband like Spice – and 13 for offences including bribery, fraud, theft and helping an escape.
A Prison Service spokesman said: “We will not hesitate to take robust action with those who do not follow the rules.”
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