A FEMALE prison officer who caused a major security risk at HMP Isle of Wight by unlocking a prisoner's cell to provide him with goods, amid sexual chats with him, was spared immediate jail.

Teresa Jackman, of Appley Rise, Ryde, admitted — at an earlier hearing — she wilfully, as a holder of public office, misconducted herself.

Jackman, 54, engaged in sexual communications with a prisoner, and unlocked his cell, which created a serious risk to other inmates and staff.

The charge relates to the period from May 1 to July 9, 2021, during Covid.

The authorities at HMP Isle of Wight, acting on information, searched Daniel Holley's cell and found six pictures of a woman's naked body.

On July 6, CCTV showed Jackman enter Holley's cell, holding a bag, then leaving 22 minutes later, without it, said Gemma Noble, prosecuting.

When Holley — serving 26 years' jail — was quizzed if he'd had an inappropriate relationship with a prison officer, he conceded it had been going on since May and that he had numerous phone chats with her.

In all, over 60 calls were made, which, when examined, contained conversations that included details of sex toys and sexual positions.

During a strip search, moles on Jackman's body identified her as the naked woman in the pictures.

But it was the unlocking of the cell — during a period when prohibited to open any of the 73 prisoners' cells on the wing, due to there being only one officer on duty, namely Jackman — that was deemed a major security risk.

The judge, Pushpinder Saini, said this was more serious, stressing Jackman could've been overpowered and injured and the keys could have been used to give prisoners jail access.

Jackman, a prison officer for 20 years, was Holley's key worker and claimed she brought him sweets, coffee and stationery.

Regarding the phone calls, Jackman described her actions as "a fantasy". 

For Jackman, Ben Roe said she was remorseful — "losing her job, home, relationship and her good name".

"She lives in shame. She knows she has no one but herself to blame. She made terrible mistakes." 

Jackman, now a cleaner, was handed 16 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 12 months' probation, including 100 hours' unpaid work and £1,500 costs.