Prison officer jailed for 27 months for relationship with inmate at HMP The Mount

Dawn MacCormack, a 42-year-old prison officer at HMP The Mount, engaged in an inappropriate relationship with inmate Josh Moore, which began in January 2019. This relationship included physical contact, such as massaging Moore while he was topless, and led to significant breaches of trust and prison safety. During an investigation, Moore was found with two smuggled phones, which raised suspicions about their communication. The relationship was characterized by extensive contact, with over 4,100 texts and 85 calls exchanged in just 25 days. MacCormack was arrested on June 22, 2019, but had deleted texts from her phone prior to her arrest. She claimed ignorance regarding how Moore obtained her phone number, which the court dismissed. During her trial, MacCormack cited personal distress as a factor influencing her actions, mentioning her mother's terminal illness and her troubled marriage. Despite her claims of mental health struggles, the prosecution highlighted her awareness of the risks involved in her relationship with Moore, including potential blackmail. Ultimately, MacCormack was sentenced to 27 months in prison for her actions, which the judge described as a deliberate breach of trust. Moore, who had pleaded guilty to possessing the illicit phones, received a nine-month sentence, adding to his existing prison term. This case underscores the serious implications of inappropriate relationships within correctional facilities.