Dan Santy
25 November 2010
A TEACHER at Rye Hill Prison has been suspended over allegations a video was discovered of her having sex with an inmate.
Reports in national newspapers this week claim bosses at the prison uncovered the DVD among hundreds of love letters sent by media studies teacher Beverley Van-de-Velde, 59, to prisoner Richard Francis, 29.
It is suggested the 17-minute recording shows Ms Van-de-Velde having sex with Francis in the staff room of the high security prison, near Onley.
Ms Van-de-Velde, who lives in Leicestershire, denied the allegations but has been suspended, according to a prison spokesman.
“We can confirm that an individual employed as a teacher by one of the sub-contractors at HMP Rye Hill was escorted from the prison on November 3 2010 due to inappropriate behaviour,” the spokesman said.
“She is being dealt with through the sub-contractor’s disciplinary procedures.
“The prisoner involved has been removed from association whilst we assess the risks associated with this incident.”
Francis is believed to be serving a 13-year prison sentence after stabbing a man to death in south London, on New Year’s Day in 2002.
It was reported he had now been moved to isolation and had had privileges withdrawn.
Ms Van-de-Velde, who was employed by Manchester College, now faces disciplinary procedures and an investigation into how her relationship with Francis developed and went unchecked.
A national newspaper report claims Ms Van-de-Velde fell for Francis two years ago while teaching him media studies.
Ms Van-de-Velde refused to comment at her flat in Leicestershire when contacted by the newspaper.