A FEMALE prison officer has been arrested and suspended from duty after allegations she had an affair with an inmate.
Elizabeth Surrey, an employee at HMP Chelmsford, is alleged to have shared an inappropriate relationship with one of the criminals at the high security facility before being temporarily removed from her post at the weekend.
The 25-year-old, from Chelmsford, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office after the allegations.
She would have been mixing with thieves, drug dealers and violent thugs in the category B prison in Springfield Road.
A Prison Service spokesman said: "A member of staff at HMP Chelmsford has been suspended. This is now a matter for the police."
It is believed that the inmate with whom Ms Surrey was reportedly involved had his cell searched earlier this month after colleagues at the prison, which can detain more than 500 offenders, became suspicious.
The male prisoner is then thought to have been moved to a segregation unit following the incident and Ms Surrey sent home pending inquiries.
A spokesman for Essex Police said: "A 25-year-old woman from Chelmsford has been arrested and questioned in relation to misconduct in a public office. She has been released on police bail pending further enquiries until June 24."
Miss Surrey's father said she was unable to speak to the Chronicle during the inquiry.
