A 26-year-old prison officer has been sentenced to jail after engaging in a highly inappropriate and graphic relationship with a convicted gangster inmate, which included explicit phone conversations and the exchange of steamy letters.
From Duty to Deceit: The Downfall of an Officer
Megann Gibson, who worked at HM Prison Wealstun in West Yorkshire, formed the illicit bond with inmate Ryan Horan, a hardened member of an organised crime gang. The court at Leeds heard that their interactions were far from professional. Prosecutors described their phone conversations as being of a "highly s3xual nature and extremely graphic," with some calls lasting up to an hour.
During these intimate calls, the pair reportedly expressed love for each other, discussed future plans for marriage and children, and made arrangements for life after Horan's release. Gibson's misconduct extended beyond the phone; she also allowed Horan access to restricted areas within the Category C prison and visited him at his resettlement accommodation.
A Web of Corruption and Further Suspicions
Gibson's questionable behaviour did not go unnoticed for long. In just five months, her actions triggered a staggering 102 anti-corruption intelligence reports—almost one for every working day in that period. The reports raised alarms that she was attempting to bring contraband into the facility and was becoming overly familiar with prisoners, spending excessive time in their cells while on active duty.
Investigators later found explicit letters from Horan in Gibson's bedroom. In these letters, Horan thanked her for providing a vape and complimented her kissing. Police also discovered £1,000 in cash that Gibson could not properly account for. She claimed it was for a tattoo, but financial checks revealed no corresponding withdrawal.
The court was informed that Gibson was suspected of further inappropriate contact with other men linked to organised crime. This included Michael Holt, who was believed to be involved in smuggling cannabis vapes into the prison, and his brother Shaun Holt, who was an inmate at Wealstun. Intelligence also pointed to improper behaviour with two other inmates: armed robbers Sery Tokro and Wayne Coleman.
Sentencing and a Wider Pattern
Megann Gibson was sentenced to twelve months in prison after pleading guilty to misconduct in a public office and possession of cannabis. Sentencing her, Judge Kate Rayfield highlighted the severity and persistence of her actions, noting she embarked on the relationship with Horan despite repeated disciplinary warnings.
This case emerged just a day after another prison officer, Rebecca Pinckard, pleaded guilty to performing a s3x act on an inmate at HMP Highpoint in Suffolk, suggesting troubling breaches of security and professionalism within the prison service.
