Prison nurse 'had inappropriate relationship with same inmate as jail worker colleague'

A prison nurse is facing a potential jail term herself after she admitted having an “inappropriate relationship” with an inmate.

Qualified health worker Elyse Hibbs, 25, admitted to her relationship with the unidentified prisoner while working as a nurse at two prisons.

A second prison worker, custody officer Ruth Shmylo, also 25, appeared alongside Hibbs also accused of a relationship with the same inmate – but did not enter a plea.

Hibbs worked at the 1,652-capacity HMP Parc Prison in Bridgend, Wales, and at HMP Manchester, known as Strangeways, 210 miles away.

She admitted one charge of misconduct in a public office when she appeared in the dock at Cardiff Crown Court.

The charge against her states: "While acting as a public officer, namely prison nurse, wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification misconducted yourself in a way which amounted to an abuse of the public's trust in the office holder by engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a prisoner.”

Hibbs, of Manchester, was told "all options" remain open when she comes to be sentenced over the affair.

Adam Sharp, defending, said Hibbs' plea was on a basis that would need to be reviewed by the Crown Prosecution Service and requested a pre-sentence report.

She was told to return to court next month for sentence or a further direction hearing.

The court heard the case against Shmylo, who previously worked at HMP Parc, was not ready to proceed and she was not asked to enter a plea.

The charge against her states: "While acting as a public officer, namely a prison custody officer.

Shmylo, of Treforest, Pontypridd, must return to court next month.