A female prison officer has been suspended amid claims she had an inappropriate relationship with an inmate, it has emerged.
Katerina Tatus, 23, was reportedly ‘marched to the gates’ of the prison by security and is now under police investigation, following an internal staff tip-off.
The officer, believed to have worked for the prison service for three years, is alleged to have become “too close” to a prisoner, although it is not yet confirmed whether the inmate in question was held at Feltham prison, where she was based, or another facility.
The incident comes as fresh scrutiny is placed on relationships between prison staff and inmates, with a number of similar cases emerging in recent months.
Sources told The Sun that security staff acted swiftly to remove Tatus from her post after concerns were raised. One insider said:
“Katerina was stopped and marched to the gates by security. She has been accused of having an affair and being too close to a prisoner. It is unclear if it was a Feltham inmate or if something happened with someone at another jail.”
Tatus is said to have denied any wrongdoing, reportedly telling reporters: “I didn’t do anything, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Photos from her Facebook page show the young officer enjoying sun-soaked holidays abroad, though she has now removed her profile from public view amid the ongoing investigation.
A Prison Service spokesperson said:
“It would be inappropriate to comment on a live police investigation.”
A Pattern of Scandals
Feltham prison, which also includes Feltham A — a young offenders’ institution for boys aged 15 to 18 — has long faced scrutiny over conditions and violence. However, the allegations against Tatus are not believed to relate to the youth section of the prison.
The case adds to a string of recent scandals involving prison staff. Earlier this year, former Wandsworth officer Linda de Sousa Abreu was jailed for 15 months after being caught on camera having sex in a cell with a serial burglar.
Just weeks ago, Katie Evans, 26, another former officer, was sentenced to prison after beginning a sexual relationship with convicted robber Daniel Brownley while working at HMP Doncaster. She later admitted to performing sex acts on the inmate and handling drug money on his behalf.
The prison service continues to grapple with concerns about professional boundaries and security breaches, as internal investigations aim to clamp down on inappropriate conduct within UK jails.
