Prison Officer Admits to Illicit Affair with Inmate in South Wales

Megan Breen has admitted to a prison fling with an inmate

A 23-year-old prison officer has admitted to engaging in an illicit relationship with an inmate while working at two separate prisons in South Wales. Megan Breen, who was employed at HMP Usk and HMP Prescoed in Gwent, pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office after previously denying the charge.

Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard that Breen’s relationship with the unnamed prisoner lasted three months, from February to May 2022. The misconduct charge stated that, while acting as a public officer, she “wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification” entered into a relationship with the inmate, breaching the public’s trust.

Breen is facing jail when she is sentenced next month

A second allegation that Breen illegally accessed a computer will not be pursued. She has been granted bail but was warned she could face a custodial sentence when she returns to court for sentencing next month.

HMP Usk, a Category C facility housing 280 inmates, is jointly managed with open prison HMP Prescoed.

The case comes amid a series of similar incidents in UK prisons. Recently, probation officer Leonie Wilkinson, 27, was jailed for rekindling a romance with her teenage boyfriend, convicted burglar Gary Hampson, 26, while he was serving time at HMP Preston. Their exchanges included numerous phone calls and explicit messages, though their relationship never became physical.

In another case in June, a prison officer was reported to have engaged in phone sex with an inmate and sent 900 messages to his mother to maintain contact.

She originally denied the offence but changed her plea