Prison officer had relationship with convicted murderer

The prison officer initially denied claims of the relationship

A prison officer who had a relationship with a murderer has been jailed. Rebecca Green, 29, was working at HMP Whitemoor in March when she entered into a relationship with John Otugade in October 2022.

Otugade is serving a 25-year sentence for murder. In spring 2023, Green was called into a meeting when suspicions were raised about her conduct.

Green initially denied the claims, but Otugade was moved to HMP Belmarsh while investigations took place. Officers searched Green’s car and seized her mobile phone. This contained messages that suggested she was in a relationship with the prisoner.

Otugade also had a number added to his approved contacts list inside the prison and it had the name ‘partner’. The number was later found to be a match to Green’s phone.

Green, of Market Rasen Way, Holbeach, Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty to wilful misconduct in a public office.

On June 24, she was sentenced to one year and four months in prison at Cambridge Crown Court. Detective Constable Tom Adams, who investigated, said: “As a prison officer, you have a responsibility to keep prisoners and your colleagues safe.

“This was a serious breach of Green’s responsibilities, and she failed to consider the potential impact on the security and safety of the staff and prisoners and how her actions undermined the work of the prison. This sentence shows how seriously the police and courts take such breaches.”