A prison tutor has been sentenced for misconduct in public office after entering an inappropriate relationship with a prisoner at HMP Erlestoke in Wiltshire.

Kelly Duffey, 36, from Amesbury, Wiltshire, worked as a generalist tutor at the prison and abused her position of trust by forming an inappropriate relationship with serving prisoner Ashley Goodridge between May and September 2024, maintaining unauthorised contact with him and concealing her knowledge that he possessed an illicit mobile phone.

The Crown Prosecution Service relied on evidence from Duffey’s phone which demonstrated that the pair engaged in a sexual relationship within the prison, using an illicit mobile phone to communicate and share intimate images and videos.

Duffey also failed to notify prison authorities that she was aware of an inappropriate relationship between another member of prison staff and a prisoner.

Duffey admitted two counts of misconduct in public office and was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment. Goodridge received a sentence of 12 months for possessing and using a mobile phone inside the prison.

The misconduct came to light after a family member raised concerns. Duffey was immediately barred from all prison estates and resigned the following day.

Andrew Eddy, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Those working in prisons are trusted to uphold strict professional boundaries between themselves and inmates.
“Duffey’s actions amounted to a serious breach of that trust and fell well below the standards expected of prison staff.”

SWROCU Counter Corruption Investigator PC Mark Paterson said: “The conduct displayed by Kelly Duffey will not be tolerated within a prison estate. She may not have been a prison officer or directly employed by HMPPS, but she was in a position of trust as an education tutor, a key role in prisoner rehabilitation. She misconducted herself and neglected her duty over an extended period of time, which compromised the safety of other staff and inmates.  

“The SWROCU Counter Corruption Unit will continue to work alongside HMPPS and the CPS to bring to justice anyone working within the prison estate who commits criminal acts.”