Parklea prison officer allegedly had intimate relationship with inmate
A correctional officer has been charged over an alleged three-month affair with a male inmate.
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A prison officer charged over allegedly having an intimate relationship with an inmate at Parklea Correctional Centre has had her matter mentioned in court.
Ruby Talaisaina Burgess, 33, of Miller, was excused from attending Blacktown Local Court today after being charged over the alleged inappropriate relationship last month.
Police allege Ms Burgess, who was employed as a correctional officer at the privately-run facility, was involved in an intimate relationship with 37-year-old inmate John Hytongue between December 1, 2019 and February 27 this year.
She was arrested at a home in Bass Hill on March 6 after the managers at the jail referred the allegations to the Corrective Services Investigation Unit.
She was taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with one count of engaging in a relationship with an inmate causing a safety risk.
She remains on strict bail.
Ms Burgess has been suspended from her role, pending the outcome of the court case.
Police said she began working at the prison last year when private company MTC Broadspectrum took over the running of the facility.
She is yet to enter a plea to the charge.
Ms Burgess’ matter will return to Blacktown Local Court on May 28.
Hytongue, who was a maximum security inmate at the prison, is expected to be transferred to another facility. It is not known what offences Hytongue is serving a custodial sentence for.
The charge comes after the NSW Government introduced new laws last November which make it a criminal offence for prison staff to engage in sexual or intimate relationships with inmates.
The misconduct offence carries a jail sentence of up to two years and a fine of up to $2200.
Speaking at a press conference at the time of Ms Burgess’ arrest, Commander of the Corrective Services Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Robert Hollows said the new legislation was a positive step.
“The new legislation. has helped us crack down on these types of behaviours statewide,” Mr Hollow said.
“We take these (alleged) matters very seriously because they compromise the safety and the good order of the facility.”