A female prison tutor has been sentenced to eight months imprisonment after admitting to an inappropriate relationship with an inmate at HMP Chelmsford.
Discovery of Letters and Photograph
Melissa Murphy, 48, was arrested in December 2023 after handwritten letters containing explicit romantic and sexual content were discovered in a prisoner's cell. Essex Police also found a photograph of the inmate during a search of her home. The court heard that Murphy, who worked training inmates for employment post-release, first met the prisoner in November 2023.
Abuse of Trust and Locked Classroom Incident
The investigation was triggered when a concerned colleague found a classroom door locked from the inside. Inside were only Murphy and the inmate, and Murphy's keys, which were required to be attached to her person at all times for security, had been removed. This breach of protocol led to her being reported and subsequently arrested. Police stated she had "abused a position of trust" by replying to an initial letter from the prisoner and entering into a correspondence that suggested a relationship, rather than reporting his approach.
Sentencing and Police Statement
Murphy, formerly known as Melissa O'Brien, pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct in a public office and was sacked from her role. At Chelmsford Crown Court, she received her eight-month sentence. Detective Constable Becky Sparrow, the investigating officer, emphasised the vulnerability of prisoners and the crucial need for integrity among staff. "By entering into this relationship, Murphy compromised that integrity, exploited a vulnerable man and left herself open to exploitation too," DC Sparrow said. The police worked closely with prison security to build a strong case that led to her guilty plea.
