A PRISON officer who had an inappropriate relationship with a serving prisoner has been given a jail sentence.

Chloe Jones, age 30, of Greenham Avenue, Kirkby, who served as a prison officer at HMP Altcourse, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court.

She admitted misconduct in a public office and was handed a 15 month jail sentence following a relationship with inmate Phillip King, who has links to St Helens.

Detective Inspector Dawn Hampson from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit said: “Chloe Jones 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. We will continue to take robust action and investigate any offences which we suspect are taking place in our prisons.”

Director of HMP Altcourse, Steve Williams said: “We expect the highest standards of conduct from our staff and will not tolerate behaviour that undermines the good work of our colleagues. If we suspect wrongdoing, we will always share intelligence with the police and other agencies. I'd like to thank my team and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit for their exemplary work.”