Prison officer admits relationship with inmate after photo found
A 48-year-old prison teacher admitted having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate at HMP Chelmsford.
Essex Police said letters were found between Melissa Murphy, formerly Melissa O’Brien, and the prisoner, and a photograph of her was found in the prisoner’s bedroom at his home.
Murphy worked at the prison for four years, met the inmate for the first time in the summer of 2023, and claimed to have received the first letter from the inmate in November of the same year.
Police said instead of reporting the contact, Murphy responded and wrote several letters suggesting the two had begun a relationship.
Essex Police added that concerns were raised when another member of prison staff tried to enter the classroom occupied only by Murphy and the prisoner, only to find the door locked from the inside and his keys removed from him.
Police said his job required him to keep the keys attached to him at all times to prevent any inmate from potentially escaping.
After this incident was reported, Murphy was arrested and a photo of the prisoner in his bedroom was found at his home address, along with further letters detailing conversations between them.
Murphy, of Dorset Close, Chelmsford, was first arrested on December 11, 2023, and upon their release his teaching role, which helped train those at HMP Chelmsford for employment, ended.
He was charged with postal seizure on 12 February 2025 and pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office at a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on 28 November.
Detective Constable Becky Sparrow, the police officer in the case, said: “Murphy abused his position of trust by establishing this inappropriate relationship.
“By definition, everyone held in prison is in a vulnerable position. It is vital that staff and prison officers do not put people they are supposed to help in such positions, as these actions could potentially put them both at risk of harm.
“We are now waiting to hear what sentence the courts will impose.”
Dc Sparrow added: “The integrity of everyone working within the criminal justice system is required to keep prisoners and the public safe.
“Murphy compromised that integrity by entering into this relationship, exploiting a defenseless man and leaving himself open to exploitation.
“We worked closely with the security department and staff at HMP Chelmsford throughout this investigation to ensure this case was as strong as possible, leaving him with no option but to plead guilty.”
