A staff member at Cumbria’s only prison has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office.
Yesterday, officers from the Regional Prison Intelligence Unit at the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) arrested a member of staff based at HMP Haverigg, near Millom
Following enquiries, the 49-year-old woman from Millom was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office.
She was taken to a police station for questioning but has since been released under investigation.
Detective Inspector Tanya Kitchen from NWROCU said: “We can confirm that following a joint investigation between HMPPS Counter Corruption Unit and NWROCU, a member of staff from HMP Haverigg was arrested yesterday.
“Corruption of any kind will not be tolerated and we continue to work closely in partnership with HMPPS to ensure anyone who breaks the rules is brought to justice.
“We would like to encourage members of staff working at prisons to report anyone they suspect are involved in corrupt activity so that we can act on it immediately and put offenders before the courts.”
Misconduct in a public office carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
What is Haverigg?
Haverigg is a men’s open prison for category D offenders.
Category D prisoners are “those who can be reasonably trusted not to try to escape, and are given the privilege of an open prison.”
