Hunter prison guard charged over alleged romance with inmate

Hunter prison guard Vicki Greenhalgh has been charged for allegedly engaging in a love affair with inmate Robert Parry while he was serving time at a prison she worked at.

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A prison officer has been charged after allegedly striking up a relationship with an inmate at a minimum security jail in the Hunter.

52-year-old Vicki Greenhalgh allegedly had a romantic relationship with 56-year-old inmate Robert Parry while he was serving time at St Heliers Corrective Centre in Muswellbrook.

Ms Greenhalgh was working as a Service and Programs Officer for Corrective Services NSW at the time of the alleged offence.

Vicki Greenhalgh has been charged over an alleged romantic relationship with a former inmate. Picture: NSW Police

Ms Greenhalgh was working as a Service and Programs Officer at the time of the alleged offence. Picture: NSW Police

The 52-year-old was arrested at a Muswellbrook home before being taken to a local police station. Picture: NSW Police

Staff at the males-only minimum security facility on the outskirts of Muswellbrook referred the alleged relationships to police, prompting the establishment of Strike Force Canopus.

Following extensive inquiries, officers arrested Ms Greenhalgh at a home at Muswellbrook just before 10.30am on Thursday.

She was transported to Muswellbrook Police Station and charged with engaging in a relationship with an inmate causing safety risk and engaging in sexual conduct compromising a sentence.

She was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on Monday 21 September 2020.

The woman’s employment has been suspended.