Prison officer Rebecca Pinckard, 46, has been sentenced to 32 weeks in jail for misconduct in a public office. She engaged in an "intimate encounter" with inmate Erion Nakdi, 42, in a storage cupboard at HMP Highpoint. The encounter was captured on Pinckard's own body-worn camera, with two video clips recorded five minutes apart on July 5, 2024. Another officer discovered the footage while reviewing recordings for evidence.
The court heard that Pinckard had also sent a "loving card" to Nakdi, an Albanian national serving a 16-year sentence for drug offenses. Explicit videos of Nakdi filmed inside his prison cell were also found on Pinckard's mobile phone, which she had received via social media. Judge Anthony Cartin stated that Pinckard's offense was only discovered due to a "clumsy mistake" and that the misconduct extended over several months. He noted that her actions "diminishes the public confidence in the criminal justice system."
Nakdi pleaded guilty to unauthorized possession of a mobile phone in prison and received a 10-month sentence, to be served consecutively with his existing term. His defense described the situation as a "tragic case of an emotional attraction." Pinckard's defense argued it was a "moment of madness" and not a relationship, citing her difficult home life and recent end to a 19-year relationship. Pinckard had previously received a warning for being "overfamiliar" with inmates. She appeared visibly upset during her sentencing.