Female prison officer is facing jail after to relationship with inmate

A former prison officer has been warned she faces jail after admitting to smuggling in cannabis for an inmate she was having an inappropriate relationship with.

Joanne Hunter pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office over an illicit relationship with a prisoner at HMP Forest Bank in Salford. 

The 27-year-old, from Bury, Greater Manchester, also admitted a charge of smuggling cannabis into the prison in December 2020. 

But she denied bringing in an unauthorised mobile phone, and the prosecution said an application would be made for that charge to lie on file. 

Joanne Hunter – seen today – pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office over an illicit relationship with a prisoner at HMP Forest Bank in Salford

No further details about Hunter’s relationship with the unnamed inmate were revealed during the short hearing as her parents watched on from the public gallery.

Judge Rachel Smith, who ordered a pre-sentence report, warned Hunter that ‘immediate custody is inevitable in cases like this’. 

But she added: ‘The sentencing judge will decide what sentence is appropriate in this case.’

The judge bailed Hunter on condition she resides at her current address and she’s due to be sentenced on April 25.

Hunter’s LinkedIn page states that she worked as a prison officer for two years between December 2018 and December 2020.

It also states she graduated in applied social studies and gained a master’s degree in childhood and youth studies at the University of Bedfordshire.

The 27-year-old, from Bury, Greater Manchester, also admitted a charge of smuggling cannabis into the prison in December 2020