A female prison guard has been charged with supplying tobacco to a prisoner for cash

A FEMALE prison guard at the privately run Parklea jail has been charged with corruptly supplying contraband tobacco to a prisoner for cash, sparking opposition calls for the controversial facility to be returned to public hands.

A FEMALE prison guard at the privately run Parklea jail has been charged with corruptly supplying contraband tobacco to a prisoner for cash, sparking opposition calls for the controversial facility to be returned to public hands.

Strike Force Iraga — set up to investigate a string of scandals at the maximum security prison in Sydney’s west — arrested the 40-year-old officer on Sunday after searching an inmate and discovering the tobacco.

The female prison guard was arrested by police after tobacco was found on an inmate during a search.

She was charged with two counts of introduce contraband to a correctional centre and corruptly receive benefit, and dismissed from her job.

Earlier this month a NSW state parliamentary inquiry was called into the troubled maximum security facility, following claims by prisoners that smuggled contraband — including drugs and mobile phones — were rife.

Opposition corrective services spokesman Guy Zangari. Picture: AAP Image/Carmela Roche

Opposition corrective services spokesman Guy Zangari said the inquiry would examine a “string of scandals plaguing the prison”, which he alleged had cut corners to generate a profit.