Nurse Nabbed for Prison Romance Scandal
Elyse Hibbs, 25, from Newbridge in Gwent, has been arrested after striking up a secret relationship with an inmate while working at HM Prison Parc in Bridgend. The prisoner went to extreme lengths to track her down, using his mother and a friend to find Hibbs on Instagram. This sparked weeks of flirtatious texts and calls, the court heard.
Inmate’s Love Story Sparks Prison Transfer
Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe revealed that prison staff suspected the inmate was involved with a staff member at Bridgend. To stop the affair, they moved him 205 miles away to HMP manchester/" title="Manchester" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="954">Manchester. But the love affair wasn’t over. Investigators found Hibbs’ number on the prisoner’s approved call list, showing their secret chats continued.
“The inmate repeatedly contacted the defendant, most calls happening while she worked at HMP Parc,” said Mr Cobbe. “Their calls were flirtatious, discussing prison life and staff. He told her he loved her, and she cheekily replied he didn’t know her well enough yet.”
Flirtation Turns Serious, Jail Nurse Admits Misconduct
Hibbs, a qualified nurse employed by G4S security, admitted misconduct in public office. She confessed she feared losing her job if she reported the inmate’s smuggled phone used to contact her. The pair even arranged “three-way calls” via the inmate’s friend holding two phones together.
The chats grew personal and loaded with romantic promises. “He told her he wanted to thank her for taking care of him,” said the prosecutor. Hibbs admitted fearing the inmate after he threatened her and worried about breaking off contact.
“She explained there was never any sexual relationship but admitted she got too involved and didn’t report it,” Mr Cobbe added.
Judge Slams Nurse’s ‘Emotional Relationship’ with Prisoner
Defence lawyer Adam Sharp described the inmate as “manipulative” and said Hibbs, young and inexperienced, was vulnerable to his influence. He highlighted her previous dedication to nursing but warned the conviction would ban her from the profession.
Sentencing, Recorder Tracey Lloyd-Clarke blasted Hibbs: “You knew what you were doing was wrong. You held a position of trust but ignored training and advice to report the initial contact. Instead, you engaged in an emotional relationship with this prisoner and failed to report his unlawful phone.”
Hibbs was arrested in July 2021, shortly after leaving Bridgend Prison, bringing a scandalous chapter to a close.
