DONCASTER, U.K. — Morgan Farr Varney, a former prison officer from Doncaster, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison after being caught having a romantic relationship with an inmate at HMP Lindholme.
The inappropriate affair was exposed after prison staff became suspicious of her behavior. CCTV footage later confirmed Farr Varney sneaking into a cupboard with the inmate and spending unusual time with him on the wing. A corruption investigation followed, leading to the discovery of numerous handwritten love letters — both in the inmate’s cell and in Farr Varney’s own bedroom.
Farr Varney, who had previously appeared on ITV’s This Morning to discuss an unrelated topic, admitted to falling in love with the prisoner during police questioning, confessing she had “proper fell in love” and feared she had “f****d” up her life.
After her initial arrest in January 2023, she was released on bail and subsequently resigned from her role. However, the relationship continued even after the inmate was transferred to HMP Wealstun, where authorities later found more personal photos of Farr Varney in his possession.
Farr Varney pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office at Sheffield Crown Court on April 16. On Friday, she was sentenced to 10 months behind bars.
Detective Constable Scott Jarvis, of South Yorkshire Police’s Prison Anti-Corruption Unit, emphasized the seriousness of such misconduct:
“We take any reports of improper relationships between prison staff and inmates incredibly seriously… I hope this sentencing sends a clear message.”
The case adds to a growing trend, with official figures revealing that 29 female officers have been dismissed for inappropriate inmate relationships over the past three years — a sharp rise from just nine between 2017 and 2019.
In a separate high-profile case earlier this year, Linda De Sousa Abreu, a former officer at HMP Wandsworth, was sentenced to 15 months in jail after being caught on camera having sex with an inmate. The footage, filmed by another prisoner, went viral and led to her arrest at Heathrow Airport as she tried to flee to Spain.
