by Jo Ellen Nott

A British prison guard in Lincoln, England, was jailed for 14 months at Lincoln Crown Court on October 26, 2022. HM Prison Service guard Emma Webster, 34, was convicted of misconduct in public office after pleading guilty to maintaining inappropriate relationships with two prisoners at HMP Lincoln, just seven months into her employment there.

Prison officials discovered that Webster began a relationship with prisoner Bradley Brammall in August 2021, when a new number popped up on Brammall’s contact list. Using the name Emma Smith, the mother then made seventeen calls of a sexual nature to Brammall between August and October 2021. Transcripts of the calls were kept, including one where Brammall requested a sex act be performed on him.  Prosecuting attorney Lauren Fisher revealed excerpts of the transcript in court where Webster promised to send Bramwell “better pictures.”

But Fisher said it appeared the relationship between the two fizzled after an argument on October 5, 2021. After Webster and Brammall ended their liaison, Webster moved to a different wing in HMP Lincoln and started chatting with another prisoner. Explained Fisher: “Whilst Miss Webster was working night shifts another prisoner, Jimmy Bennet, appeared to be pressing his cell buzzer more frequently.”

Webster and Bennett went on to talk by phone 75 times between October and November 2021, with the young woman sending sexual photos and love letters. The court heard she “pleasured herself” during one phone call with Webster and on another occasion asked Bennett if he was “pulling [his] pants down.”  Webster also declared her love for Bennet during another phone call and called him her boyfriend.

Sentencing Judge Catarina Sjölin Knight said it was clear Webster was chasing the relationships, instead of being targeted by inmates.  She chastised the young prison guard: “You had a position of trust and authority as an operational support grade officer at HMP Lincoln. In that position you misconducted yourself by engaging in relationships, first with one prisoner, and then with another.” However, Judge Knight also made it clear there was no evidence of physical contact between Webster and the prisoners. 

Sources:  Leading Britain’s Conversation, Yahoo! News

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