Prison officer admits inappropriate relationship

Megan Breen admitted an inappropriate relationship with an inmate after initially denying it while working at two Welsh prisons.

Prison Officer Admits Inappropriate Relationship With Inmate

Megan Breen, 23, from Newport, admitted misconduct in a public office after initially denying a relationship with an inmate. The offence is said to have occurred while she worked at HMP Usk, a category C prison, and HMP Prescoed, an open prison, between February and May 2022. A second allegation of illegally accessing a computer will not be proceeded with. Breen was bailed and will be sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on September 19 after a pre-sentence report was ordered. The court stressed that all sentencing options remain open.

HMP Usk houses around 280 inmates and operates with Prescoed on the same site, helping manage inmates nearing release. The case highlights how boundary violations by prison staff threaten the safety of both inmates and staff and raises questions about checks on staff and information systems.

This case points to how easily trust can fracture inside a prison system. When staff cross lines with inmates, the core promise of separation is challenged, and the whole system bears the cost. It spotlights the need for stronger supervision, clearer rules, and tighter access controls.

A sentencing decision will signal how seriously authorities treat staff misconduct. It could trigger reviews of training, supervision, and digital access rules, and it may shape public discussion about safety and rehabilitation in Wales' prisons.

Highlights

The case will test how authorities rebuild trust and tighten safeguards in Welsh prisons.