UK prison officer charged after sex video with inmate goes viral

The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation on Friday following the video.

London:

A prison officer in the United Kingdom has been charged after a video was discovered on social media that allegedly showed her having sex with an inmate at HMP Wandsworth, a prison in southwest London, a prison report he said.

Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, from Fulham, west London, faces charges of misconduct in public office. She is due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court today.

The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation on Friday after the video, allegedly filmed inside the prison, appeared online. The footage allegedly shows the officer initially in full uniform before engaging in the alleged act.

HMP Wandsworth, a Victorian-era prison built in 1851, has faced severe overcrowding and deteriorating conditions. Recent inspections have revealed concerning issues including rampant violence, vermin and serious staffing challenges. The facility, designed to hold a significantly smaller number of inmates, is currently operating at 163 percent of its intended capacity, housing more than 1,500 inmates.

The situation at the prison has prompted urgent calls for reform. In May, Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor issued an “urgent notice” to Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, highlighting the appalling state of the prison and the need for immediate improvements. Taylor’s report described the prison wings as “chaotic” and noted the inability of staff to manage or account for prisoners effectively. This led to the resignation of prison governor Katie Price during the inspection.

A Scotland Yard spokesperson confirmed the ongoing investigation. “Staff corruption is not tolerated and the former prison officer allegedly featured in this video has been reported to the police,” said a Prison Service representative. They refrained from further comment due to the active investigation.