Wolverhampton prison officer claims she was bullied for being pretty
Giving evidence, Miss Kajla’s former colleague Lee Hastings said she had been “conditioned” by inmates, many of whom knew her personal address.
Mr Hastings told the hearing in Birmingham: “I heard that her personal address and the area in which she lived was, shall we say, common knowledge amongst the inmates.”
But Stephen Roberts, representing Miss Kajla, said she had been the victim of bullying.
Mr Roberts said in one incident Mr Hastings deliberately locked gates behind him when he knew Miss Kajla was following, and that he shouted “aggressively” when Miss Kajla went to open a double cell door.
Mr Roberts said that Mr Hastings had been “annoyed” that Miss Kajla made a complaint claiming he “bullied” her at work.
Mr Hastings said he “did not intend to cause her upset or distress” but that he was “concerned that Miss Kajla’s repeated actions were a breach to security within the prison service”.
Philippa Maddox, another young officer who took the prison service induction alongside Miss Kajla, said her former colleague had rejected advice about dress code and appearance.
Miss Maddox told the tribunal prison officers were instructed against piercings, to trim fingernails and to keep make-up to a minimum, and added: “I don’t believe Miss Kajla took on this advice in relation to hair and make-up.
“Miss Kajla’s uniform was very snugly fitted. Miss Kajla would go and talk to the lads. She lacked boundaries and assertiveness.”
Michael Doolan, a senior prison officer at Brinsford, also said there had been concerns about Miss Kajla’s hair, nose piercing, and “too much” jewellery and make-up.
Adam Farrer, for the prison service, suggested that going to work “glammed up” was not appropriate and that she was seen by inmates as a “soft touch”.
(Proceeding)
