17.01.2026 16:50
Rebecca Pinckard, a 46-year-old officer at HMP Highpoint prison in Suffolk, England, was caught on body camera footage engaging in sexual intercourse with an inmate in a storage room within the prison. After admitting her guilt, Pinckard was sentenced to 32 weeks in prison. Following the revelation of the incident, discussions about the responsibility and oversight of staff working in prisons have resurfaced in the country.
A 46-year-old female prison officer, who was caught on her body camera having sexual relations with an inmate, has been sentenced to prison in England.
The incident occurred at HMP Highpoint prison located in the Suffolk area. Rebecca Pinckard, who was on duty at the prison, was brought to court after admitting to misconduct in public office. In July 2024, it was revealed that Pinckard had engaged in sexual relations with an inmate in a storage room within the prison. The most shocking aspect of the scandal was that these moments were recorded by the body camera Pinckard was wearing during her duty.
According to testimonies presented at the Cambridge Royal Court, another prison officer caught Pinckard with convicted drug dealer Erion Nakdi (42) when he entered the storage room. It was noted that Nakdi had previously been convicted of serious crimes and had received a long prison sentence.
The court sentenced Pinckard, who lives in Cambridgeshire, to 32 weeks in prison due to her illegal relationship with the inmate. According to the information in the case file, the relationship continued between April 9 and July 6, 2024.
In addition to the sexual relationship, it was revealed that Pinckard sent cards to the inmate to boost his morale and failed to report the obscene videos sent to her from his cell. Furthermore, it was mentioned in court that the defendant had previously acted "excessively familiar" with inmates and had received a warning for this reason.
The judge overseeing the case emphasized that the incident came to light by chance, but the events were not a one-time mistake. The judge stated that these behaviors undermined public trust in the prison system and the justice mechanism.
Pinckard's lawyers argued that what happened was not a relationship, claiming that the defendant was going through a difficult time and that it was a "momentary loss of control." According to the defense, Pinckard had been psychologically distressed after the end of a long-term relationship.
On the other hand, Erion Nakdi, who admitted to possessing a mobile phone in prison, was given an additional 10 months in prison on top of his existing sentence. Nakdi had been sentenced to over 16 years in prison for drug trafficking in 2022.
HMP Highpoint prison, which houses approximately 1,300 inmates, is known as one of the largest prisons in England. The prison has also gained attention for being a place where some famous individuals have stayed in the past.
This incident has reignited discussions in the country regarding the responsibility and oversight of staff working in prisons.