Prison Officer Jailed for Inmate Misconduct

Toni Cole, a 29-year-old prison officer at HMP Five Wells in Northamptonshire, has been sentenced to 12 months in jail for misconduct in a public office after engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a 28-year-old inmate. Over a five-month period, Cole exchanged 4,431 texts and calls that were sexualized or flirtatious, and engaged in physical contact by sitting on the inmate's lap and kissing him. The relationship was uncovered during an investigation into an unauthorized overtime shift, with CCTV footage revealing suspicious behavior. Cole's phone was seized, revealing 18 video calls and further incriminating evidence, and she was fined £187. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about misconduct among prison staff, as Cole is the second officer at this facility to be convicted for similar offenses.