A WOMAN from Barrow has been accused of having a romantic relationship with an inmate while serving as a prison officer.

Alisha Fallows has been charged with misconduct following the alleged relationship at HMP Lancaster Farms, a category C male prison.

The 23-year-old was said to have engaged in a relationship with the prisoner between November 3 2020 and February 14 2021.

It is said that while acting as a prison officer she 'wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification misconducted yourself in a way which amounted to an abuse of the public's trust in the office holder by engaging in a relationship with a prisoner contrary to Common Law'.

The defendant, Goldsmith Street in Barrow, was due to appear before Blackpool Magistrates' Court yesterday.

It was expected that the case be sent to a crown court for a future hearing.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service, misconduct in a public office carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

It is an offence confined to those who are public office holders. Charges are brought when the office holder allegedly 'acts (or fails to act) in a way that constitutes a breach of the duties of that office'.