A former prison officer has been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate while working at the jail. Joanne Hunter, 27, has been charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office after allegedly starting a relationship with a prison officer. She had been working at HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester, at the time.
Ms Hunter was also charged with bringing in an unauthorised mobile phone and cannabis into the prison in December 2020.
She appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court where the charges were read to her.
She only spoke to confirm her name, address and date of birth; no pleas were entered.
Her parents watched from the galleries as her charges were listed.
Ms Hunter, who is from Bury, Greater Manchester, is next due to appear for a pre-trial hearing at Manchester Crown Court on March 23.
She worked as a prison officer between December 2018 and December 2020 after graduating in applied social studies and further completing a master’s degree in childhood and youth studies at the University of Bedfordshire.
HMP Forest Bank is a Category B men’s private prison, in the Agecroft area of Pendlebury in Salford.
The prison is operated by Sodexo Justice Services.
The prison has a holding capacity of 1,460 inmates that come from the courts in Bolton, Bury, Leigh and Wigan.
It was established in 2000 on the site of former Agecroft power station.
