Overview
- A video recorded in June 2024 showed prison officer Linda De Sousa Abreu having sex with inmate Linton Weirich in a cell at HMP Wandsworth and prompted a police inquiry and wide publicity.
- De Sousa Abreu pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office in July 2024, was sentenced in January 2025 to 15 months, served roughly five months and was released on licence with an electronic tag.
- In May 2026 Weirich told reporters the relationship began after staff-smuggled takeaways and described widespread staff corruption and falling discipline, while De Sousa Abreu denied smuggling food and said she regrets her actions and that Wandsworth was understaffed.
- The Ministry of Justice has pointed to tougher vetting, a strengthened Counter‑Corruption Unit and more than £40 million for physical security to tackle contraband and staff misconduct.
- The episode has had lasting personal effects: Weirich was moved between prisons and reports assaults and family harm linked to the publicity, and De Sousa Abreu says she is keeping a low profile and focusing on being a mother.