Prison officer, 26, who had relationship with murderer over lockdown is jailed
A prison officer who had a relationship with a killer inmate that was uncovered after finding his fingerprints on her birthday card has been jailed.
Olivia Hodgson, 26, first became involved with Lavarne Forde-Morgan, serving a life sentence for murder and possession of firearms, in early 2020.
But their affair was only fully uncovered more than a year later when officers raided her home and found a birthday card with his fingerprints on it.
Police said Hodgson had been a prison officer at category B HMP Garth, in Ulnes Walton, Lancashire, for three years before the pair had begun their relationship.
They chatted through mobile phones that Hodgson smuggled into the jail – using different numbers and apps to avoid detection.
However, in January 2021, Forde-Morgan was transferred to another prison, where he was subjected to a cell search following intelligence reports.
A phone was recovered and analysed which showed he had been in touch with another mobile number – later found to belong to Hodgson.
On July 30, 2021, Hodgson was arrested at HMP Garth and her home address was searched.
The scandal comes just a few months ago 18 female guards at one single jail were fired for having affairs with inmates.
The sexual relationships took place at HMP Berwyn, in Wrexham, Wales, over the last six years.
Police said officers seized another mobile phone that contained images of the pair, as well as the card addressed to Hodgson from Forde-Morgan.
Hodgson was finally sentenced at Burnley Crown Court on Friday for misconduct in a public office.
Forde-Morgan admitted to possessing prohibited mobile phones and was jailed for an additional 18 months.
Following the sentence, Det Cons Becky Pearson from the North-West Regional Organised Crime Unit, said Hodgson knew the relationship was ‘wrong’.
She said: ‘Olivia abused her position as a prison officer by choosing to have an inappropriate relationship with an inmate and she will now have to face the consequences of her actions.
‘She acted in a calculated manner using a variety of numbers, phones and chat applications to try and evade detection.
‘In doing so, she was able to continue the relationship with Forde-Morgan despite him moving to another prison.
‘Olivia knew right from wrong and had received adequate corruption training where she would have gained a good understanding of the criminal outcomes should a relationship be entered into with a prisoner.’
She added: ‘We will continue to take robust action and investigate any offences which we suspect are taking place in our prisons.
‘We want to reassure the honest, dedicated, and hardworking prison staff that we will continue to act against any member of staff who chooses to engage in corrupt activity.’
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