Why glamorous ex-prison guard Melissa Goodwin avoided being sent to jail

A glamorous prison guard who admitted to being in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship with an inmate has cried in court while learning her fate.

A glamorous prison guard who admitted to being in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship with an inmate at Silverwater prison has avoided jail time after the court was told they never had sex.

An emotional Melissa Goodwin looked up at the sky and wiped away tears inside Burwood Local Court on Tuesday when she was told by Magistrate Daniel Reiss that she would not be sent to jail.

Prosecutor Timothy George had asked that Ms Goodwin, 26, be imprisoned after she pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in a relationship with an inmate.

The court was told that she had carried on a relationship with Corey London for nearly five months while working at Silverwater prison in western Sydney.

She previously told the court that her relationship with London was like a “pen pal”, and she consistently denied allegations that she had performed oral sex on him in a storeroom.

Ex-prison guard Melissa Goodwin arrived at Burwood Local Court with her hair dyed brown from her usual blonde. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

The prosecution had initially claimed that they had engaged in sexual acts; however, during a sensational hearing in June, London – who is in prison for armed robbery offences – refused to budge from his cell and give evidence.

He was charged with contempt of court after refusing to give evidence about the nature of his relationship with Ms Goodwin.

The court was also previously played a phone call that an enraged London made to his mum after learning Goodwin was dating another ex-prisoner, Caleb Valeri.

She carried on a relationship with London from November 21, 2019 until April 17, 2020.

He was moved to Long Bay prison on January 21 last year, and four days later she sent him a letter in which she warned him of the dangers of their tryst.

Caleb Valeri and Ms Goodwin. Picture: Supplied

“I don’t know if you truly understand the risks and consequences I am taking for you. I hope I am right this time,” Goodwin tells London in the letter.

She goes on to tell him: “I start every day with a prayer and gratitude. Today I am grateful for you and I will keep you in my prayers for the next five weeks.”

In the letter she detailed how he made her “smile”, “happy” and brought her “hope as well as something to look forward to when you get out”.

According to a statement of agreed facts, the pair began a relationship shortly after he was transferred from Lithgow Correctional Centre.

They spoke on the phone via a third person and over the prison intercom.

Corey London was in a relationship with Ms Goodwin. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dylan Coker

As well, she communicated with his mother via text message before her arrest at her home in May last year.

Her lawyer Robert Webb argued that while Ms Goodwin’s letter did reveal a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship with London, it was forward looking and spoke of her hope of them being together when he left prison.

Ms Goodwin faced a maximum penalty of two years in prison, and prosecutor Timothy George asked that she be sentenced to full-time custody.

“It goes to the severe risk to the safety of the correctional centre brought about by the relationship Ms Goodwin was involved in,” Mr George said.

Melissa Goodwin has previously had two contraband charges against her withdrawn. Picture: Nine News.

However, she was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order as well as 120 hours of community service.

“It is at the lower end and well below the mid range (of seriousness) because it did not involve any sexual conduct of any kind,” Mr Reiss said.

The prosecution previously withdrew two contraband charges of unlawfully delivering anything to an inmate.

The former Correctional Services officer pleaded not guilty to allegations that she smuggled in White Ox tobacco, two lighters and chewing gum for London while in jail.

And those sequences were withdrawn by the court.