A former Dubai cash mule has spoken out about being sexually harassed by a prison officer while serving a sentence at HMP Bronzefield, the largest female prison in Europe. Beatrice Auty, 28, was convicted of money laundering and served over a year in prison before being released on licence.
Auty flew from Heathrow to Dubai with massive amounts of cash in her luggage, vacuum-packed with coffee granules and air fresheners to avoid detection. She would typically carry up to £500,000 each trip and was paid £3,000 plus flights and hotels in Dubai for the service.
However, during her time in prison, Auty alleges that she was sexually harassed by a prison officer who would comment on her appearance and suggest he wanted to visit her cell. She claims that this kind of behaviour happens regularly, but “rarely leads to a satisfactory outcome”.
Auty also alleged that other women had similar experiences with the same guard, who would comment on their breasts and suggest he wanted oral sex from them. Despite reporting the incident, she claims that nothing was done to address the issue.
The allegations come as a record 165 prison staff were sacked for misconduct in the year to June 2024, a 34% increase on the previous year. Auty believes that corruption is widespread in the prison system, with guards often knowing how to “fiddle the system” to facilitate the drug trade.
She told the BBC that it was “not uncommon at all” to see guards dealing drugs in the prison, with the drugs often being transported on food trollies and then distributed on the house blocks. Auty estimated that the drug trade in prisons amounts to over £1billion every year.
Auty’s comments come after a former prison officer was jailed for four years for smuggling drugs, needles, and mobile phones into HMP Buckley Hall in Rochdale. Another former officer was convicted of misconduct in a public office after being filmed having sex with an inmate at HMP Wandsworth in London.
A prison officer who wished to remain anonymous believes that guards are not given sufficient training before entering a prison, and that some are easily pressured into supplying drugs by gangs inside the prison.
Sodexo, the private company that runs HMP Bronzefield, said it cannot comment on individual cases, but will investigate any complaints and take necessary action. Gavin Miller, Community Union’s National Officer for the Justice and Custodial Sector, called for appropriate action to be taken against any employee found to have engaged in harassment or other misconduct.
Conclusion: The allegations of sexual harassment and corruption in HMP Bronzefield are disturbing and raise serious concerns about the culture within the prison system. It is essential that these allegations are thoroughly investigated and that appropriate action is taken to address the issues.
FAQs:
Q: What is the alleged behavior of the prison officer?
A: The prison officer allegedly commented on Beatrice Auty’s appearance, suggested he wanted to visit her cell, and made comments about other women’s breasts.
Q: What is the estimated value of the drug trade in prisons?
A: According to Beatrice Auty, the drug trade in prisons amounts to over £1billion every year.
Q: What is the response of Sodexo, the company that runs HMP Bronzefield?
A: Sodexo said it cannot comment on individual cases, but will investigate any complaints and take necessary action.
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