Menu
23/03/2009
Prison Officer Sacked Over Facebook 'Friends'
A prison officer has been sacked after befriending known criminals on the social networking website Facebook.
Nathan Singh, 27, was fired for gross misconduct after an investigation showed he was friends with 13 convicted criminals on the site, including a drug dealer, a fraudster and a murderer, according to The Sun newspaper.
Singh, who worked at HMP Leicester, was subject to a probe into claims he was supplying mobile phones and other banned goods to inmates, when the Facebook "friendships" were uncovered.
There was no evidence to back up the accusations, but the Operation Earlgrey investigators discovered his social network links to the criminals.
A prison service spokesman said: "We take inappropriate relationships with prisoners very seriously."
He added: "Following an investigation, a prison officer from HMP Leicester was dismissed in January for gross misconduct.
"He had been associating with serving and former prisoners, outside the course of his employment and without authority.
"We carry out thorough checks when we recruit prison officers, looking at character and criminal records, as well as nationality and identity.
"We work to create and support a culture which values integrity above all and rejects corruption and dishonesty."
During the investigation, which was launched five months after Singh had joined the Prison Service in January last year, it found he had been in phone contact with seven of the 13 criminal friends on Facebook.
The Sun published a photograph of Singh taken from Facebook showing him with a convicted fraudster Tyrone Leadeatt - who is serving two-and-a-half years in prison - at Cheltenham races.
He is also friends with Mark Simmonds, 37, who served 10 years in jail for a fatal stabbing outside a nightclub in Leicester in 1995.
(JM/BMcc)
Nathan Singh, 27, was fired for gross misconduct after an investigation showed he was friends with 13 convicted criminals on the site, including a drug dealer, a fraudster and a murderer, according to The Sun newspaper.
Singh, who worked at HMP Leicester, was subject to a probe into claims he was supplying mobile phones and other banned goods to inmates, when the Facebook "friendships" were uncovered.
There was no evidence to back up the accusations, but the Operation Earlgrey investigators discovered his social network links to the criminals.
A prison service spokesman said: "We take inappropriate relationships with prisoners very seriously."
He added: "Following an investigation, a prison officer from HMP Leicester was dismissed in January for gross misconduct.
"He had been associating with serving and former prisoners, outside the course of his employment and without authority.
"We carry out thorough checks when we recruit prison officers, looking at character and criminal records, as well as nationality and identity.
"We work to create and support a culture which values integrity above all and rejects corruption and dishonesty."
During the investigation, which was launched five months after Singh had joined the Prison Service in January last year, it found he had been in phone contact with seven of the 13 criminal friends on Facebook.
The Sun published a photograph of Singh taken from Facebook showing him with a convicted fraudster Tyrone Leadeatt - who is serving two-and-a-half years in prison - at Cheltenham races.
He is also friends with Mark Simmonds, 37, who served 10 years in jail for a fatal stabbing outside a nightclub in Leicester in 1995.
(JM/BMcc)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 August 2006
Prison officers suspended over corruption claims
Fourteen prison officers have been suspended from HMP Pentonville following allegations of corruption. A spokesperson for the Prison Service confirmed that the prison officers had been suspended over allegations which concerned trafficking and "inappropriate relations" with prisoners.
Prison officers suspended over corruption claims
Fourteen prison officers have been suspended from HMP Pentonville following allegations of corruption. A spokesperson for the Prison Service confirmed that the prison officers had been suspended over allegations which concerned trafficking and "inappropriate relations" with prisoners.
03 April 2006
Prisons face overcrowding crisis
Prisons in England and Wales are under "enormous pressure" and are facing a "looming overcrowding crisis", according to a charity report. The Prison Reform Trust reported that prison numbers have crept up again since Christmas rising to over 77,000 again.
Prisons face overcrowding crisis
Prisons in England and Wales are under "enormous pressure" and are facing a "looming overcrowding crisis", according to a charity report. The Prison Reform Trust reported that prison numbers have crept up again since Christmas rising to over 77,000 again.
02 September 2009
Call For Degree Educated Prison Officers
A charity for Penal Reform has today released a report recommending that prison officers are educated to degree level in order to better manage prisons and reduce reoffending rates. At present, prison officers undergo eight weeks training before taking responsibility for safety and security within a prison.
Call For Degree Educated Prison Officers
A charity for Penal Reform has today released a report recommending that prison officers are educated to degree level in order to better manage prisons and reduce reoffending rates. At present, prison officers undergo eight weeks training before taking responsibility for safety and security within a prison.
14 March 2013
Luton Airport Apologies "Unreservedly" For Plane Crash Picture
An unreserved apology has been issued by London Luton airport after a picture of a plane crash was posted on the airports Facebook page. It is alleged that accompanying caption with the image, which was posted at 09.15 on Wednesday morning, read: "this is what we prevent you from when it snows". The post was removed shortly after 10:30.
Luton Airport Apologies "Unreservedly" For Plane Crash Picture
An unreserved apology has been issued by London Luton airport after a picture of a plane crash was posted on the airports Facebook page. It is alleged that accompanying caption with the image, which was posted at 09.15 on Wednesday morning, read: "this is what we prevent you from when it snows". The post was removed shortly after 10:30.
12 May 2014
Thousands Of Serial Criminals Avoid Prison
Research from the Centre for Crime Prevention revealed a number of serious and repeat offenders’ prison sentences are being suspended by the courts. Suspended sentences are handed out for tens of thousands of violent, property and sexual offences each year, ranging from spitting at people to manslaughter.
Thousands Of Serial Criminals Avoid Prison
Research from the Centre for Crime Prevention revealed a number of serious and repeat offenders’ prison sentences are being suspended by the courts. Suspended sentences are handed out for tens of thousands of violent, property and sexual offences each year, ranging from spitting at people to manslaughter.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
