In a shocking incident at Wandsworth Prison, a female prison officer, Linda De Sousa Abreu, has been charged with misconduct after a video surfaced showing her allegedly having sex with an inmate. The footage, which emerged on Friday and led to a swift investigation by the Metropolitan Police, reveals the 30-year-old officer in uniform engaging in sexual acts with a prisoner.
Linda De Sousa Abreu to Appear in Court
De Sousa Abreu, identified by MailOnline, will appear in custody at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Monday. The investigation began immediately after the police were alerted to the video, resulting in De Sousa Abreu’s arrest and subsequent detainment.
Shocking Footage from Wandsworth Prison
The explicit clip begins with De Sousa Abreu apparently performing a sex act on an unidentified inmate within the Category B jail in south-west London. The footage then progresses to show her engaging in intercourse with the prisoner, while his cellmate records the incident on a mobile phone. The video depicts a cell with a television and piles of clothes on a bunk bed, and the officer’s radio can be heard crackling with the sounds of her colleagues and prisoners outside.
A friend of the inmate, who is seen smoking while recording, remarks, “Guys we’ve made history, this is what I’m telling you.” At one point, someone attempts to enter the cell, prompting the person filming to say, “Give me a minute, one second.” The inmate behind the camera momentarily pans around, grinning and saying, “This is how we roll in Wandsworth,” before telling his friend involved in the act, “You know you’re gangster innit!”
Resignation and Historical Context
MailOnline disclosed that De Sousa Abreu had recently resigned from her position at the prison following the scandal. This incident adds to a troubling history within the UK’s prison system, where more than 80 staff members have been sacked or reprimanded for inappropriate relationships with inmates since 2013. According to Ministry of Justice figures, 59 female and 24 male staff members have been caught in such affairs up to last year.
Wandsworth Prison Under Scrutiny
HMP Berwyn in North Wales holds the dubious distinction of having the worst record, with 18 female staff members found to have had relationships with inmates since the prison’s opening in 2017. Wandsworth prison itself has been under scrutiny, with a recent damning report by Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor leading to it being placed under special measures.
During an unannounced visit, Taylor found that 80% of prisoners were sharing cells designed for one person, 44% tested positive for drugs, and some inmates went without showers for up to five days. Despite the alleged escape of terror suspect Daniel Khalife last year, security remained a ‘serious concern,’ with staff frequently unable to account for prisoners’ whereabouts accurately.
Historical Significance of Wandsworth Prison
Built over 170 years ago, Wandsworth is one of the oldest and most well-known prisons in the country, having housed high-profile inmates from Oscar Wilde to tennis star Boris Becker. In his warning to ministers, Taylor described an atmosphere of despondency among prisoners and highlighted issues such as staff inexperience, poor management, and strained relationships between staff and inmates. He noted high levels of ‘burn-out’ among staff, with a third unavailable for work each day.
Conclusion
This scandal involving Linda De Sousa Abreu underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the UK prison system in maintaining professional conduct and ensuring the safety and security of both staff and inmates. The case highlights the need for stricter security measures and improved management within prisons to prevent such incidents in the future.