UK Prison Officer Sentenced to 15 Months for Sexual Misconduct with Inmate

Linda De Sousa Abreu, a 31-year-old prison officer at HMP Wandsworth in London, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after being convicted of engaging in sexual activity with an inmate. The incident, which occurred on June 25, 2024, was filmed by another prisoner and lasted nearly five minutes. The video later went viral on social media, leading to De Sousa Abreu’s identification and arrest at Heathrow Airport on June 28, 2024, as she attempted to flee to Madrid. She had informed the prison that she would not be returning to work.

De Sousa Abreu pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office on July 29, 2024. During her sentencing at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday, Judge Martin Edmunds KC condemned her actions as “immensely serious,” emphasizing that her misconduct had undermined the integrity of the prison system. He noted, “You engaged in sexual activity with a prisoner, which compromised your role as an officer and put fellow officers at increased risk.”

The court heard that De Sousa Abreu had a history of mental health issues and trauma. On the day of the incident, she had consented to the sexual activity and allowed another inmate to film the encounter, during which the prisoner appeared to be smoking cannabis. The video was shared online without her consent, resulting in significant repercussions for her and others.

Judge Edmunds pointed out that De Sousa Abreu participated in the encounter with “evident enthusiasm” and had also engaged in sexual activity with the same inmate earlier that day and on a previous occasion. He added, “Whether you intended it or not, the fact is that the video went viral and caused great harm.”

The fallout extended beyond the officer’s personal actions. Female staff members at HMP Wandsworth reported increased abuse, harassment, and sexual advances from inmates following the video’s release. Some children of prison officers were also teased about their parents’ professions. Judge Edmunds remarked, “It is inevitable that the damage for which you were responsible at Wandsworth has spread through the prison estate.”

De Sousa Abreu’s 15-month sentence includes serving half the term in custody, with the remainder on licence. She was also given a 95-day reduction for wearing an electronic tag for 190 days.

A spokesperson for the Prison Service condemned the officer’s behavior, emphasizing that it undermined the integrity of the system. “While the overwhelming majority of Prison Service staff are hardworking and honest, we are catching more of the small minority who break the rules through our bolstered Counter Corruption Unit and enhanced vetting processes,” the spokesperson said. “As today’s sentencing demonstrates, we will take robust action when officers fall below our high standards.”

Tetteh Turkson of the Crown Prosecution Service called De Sousa Abreu’s actions a “shocking breach of the public’s trust,” adding, “She was clearly an enthusiastic participant who wrongly thought she would avoid responsibility.”