A former prison officer has been jailed for eight months after forming an inappropriate relationship with a convicted murderer and accessing confidential records.
Bethany Dent-Reynolds, 27, admitted misconduct in a public office after exchanging sexually explicit messages and calls with prisoner Kieran Robinson.
The case was heard at Woolwich Crown Court, where prosecutors said Dent-Reynolds had abused her position while working for His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service.
Robinson and his cousin, Sean Robinson, are serving 23-year sentences for the murder of Donnell Rhule in south London in July 2020.
Dent-Reynolds first met Robinson while working at HMP Belmarsh. Their relationship later became romantic after she moved to a probation role and Robinson was transferred to HMP Lowdham Grange.
The court heard that the pair exchanged sexual messages, images and phone calls. Dent-Reynolds also visited Robinson several times in 2024.
Prosecutors said she accessed restricted case files on the probation service’s computer system using a colleague’s login details and shared information about Robinson’s case with him.
During a search of Robinson’s cell in June 2024, officers found a letter from Dent-Reynolds and a diary containing her personal contact details. Her mobile phone later revealed extensive WhatsApp correspondence.
Sam Willis, prosecuting, told the court that Dent-Reynolds had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a serving prisoner and breached professional standards.
She was suspended from her job in 2024 and arrested in October of that year. She pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office in December.
Defending, Chantelle Stocks said Dent-Reynolds had previously been of good character and that there was no evidence of physical sexual contact. She also told the court that her client had experienced domestic abuse and personal trauma.
The judge said Dent-Reynolds had seriously undermined trust in the prison and probation system and imposed an immediate custodial sentence.