Yorkshire Prison Officer Jailed 10 Months Over Inmate Relationship

Morgan Farr Varney, a 24-year-old prison officer at HMP Lindholme in Doncaster, was sentenced to 10 months in jail after admitting to having an intimate relationship with an inmate, despite receiving training on anti-corruption and how to spot inmate conditioning. CCTV footage showed Farr Varney entering a cupboard with the prisoner and loitering with him on a prison wing, while searches of the inmate's cell and her home uncovered love letters exchanged between them. After her arrest in January 2023 and subsequent resignation, the inmate was transferred to another prison, but the relationship persisted, as evidenced by pictures of Farr Varney found in the inmate's new cell. Detective Constable Scott Jarvis emphasized the seriousness with which improper relationships between staff and inmates are treated, noting the threat such behavior poses to the reputation of the prison service and the integrity of other officers. Farr Varney's case highlights the challenges of maintaining professional boundaries within correctional facilities and serves as a warning to other officers about the consequences of similar misconduct.