A prison officer who had an inappropriate relationship with a serving prisoner has avoided a jail sentence

On Friday Preston Crown Court heard how Alisha Fallows, of Goldsmith Street, Barrow-in-Furness, had a relationship with a prisoner whilst working as a prison custody officer at HMP Lancaster Farms between November 2020 and February 2021.

The 23-year-old communicated with inmate Damien Baxendale through mobile phones and via the prison telephone system, whilst pretending to be a family member.

Following a joint investigation between the Prison Anti-Corruption Unit at the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and HMPPS NW Counter corruption unit, she was arrested in December 2020 on suspicion of misconduct in a public office.

She pleaded guilty to the offence and was handed a 10 month jail sentence, suspended for two years and given a 250 hours unpaid work order.

Baxendale, who is currently serving a prison sentence for two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited item and was jailed for an additional ten months.  

Detective Superintendent Karen Jaundrill Kitchen from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit said: “Alisha Fallows abused her position as a prison custody officer by choosing to have inappropriate relationships with an inmate and she will now have to face the consequences of her actions.

“We want to reassure the honest, dedicated and hardworking staff that work in our prisons that we will continue to take action against people who choose to engage in corrupt activity.”