Female Prison Officer Charged After Alleged Sexual Activity with Inmate
A female prison officer in the UK, London has been charged following the discovery of a social media video allegedly showing her engaging in sexual activity with an inmate at HMP Wandsworth, a prison in southwest London. Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, from Fulham, west London, faces charges of misconduct in public office.
The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation on Friday and arrested Abreu the same day after the video, allegedly filmed within the prison, surfaced online. The footage reportedly shows the officer initially in full uniform before engaging in the alleged act.
HMP Wandsworth, a Victorian-era prison built in 1851, has been grappling with severe overcrowding and deteriorating conditions. Recent inspections revealed troubling issues, including rampant violence, vermin infestations, and severe staffing challenges. The facility, designed for significantly fewer inmates, currently operates at 163% of its intended capacity, housing over 1,500 prisoners.
A MET police spokesperson stated, “A police investigation was launched on 28 June after officers were made aware of a video filmed inside HMP Wandsworth. A woman was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office later that day.”
The situation at the prison has prompted urgent calls for reform. In May, Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor issued an “urgent notification” to Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, highlighting the dire state of the prison and the need for immediate improvements. Taylor’s report described the prison’s wings as “chaotic” and noted the inability of staff to manage or account for prisoners effectively. This led to the resignation of the prison’s governor, Katie Price, amid the inspection.
A spokesperson for Scotland Yard confirmed the ongoing investigation. “Staff corruption is not tolerated, and the former prison officer allegedly featured in this video has been reported to the police,” said a Prison Service representative. They refrained from further comments due to the active investigation.
An urgent notification allows the chief inspector of prisons to directly inform the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice about urgent and significant concerns regarding a prison’s performance. Inspectors discovered that Wandsworth was plagued by severe overcrowding, vermin infestations, and increasing violence among inmates