World
Why Do Female Prison Officers Have Affairs with Inmates? Insights from a Psychiatrist
A forensic psychiatrist has examined the psychological factors that may lead female prison officers to engage in illicit relationships with inmates. Dr. Sohom Das, a London-based forensic psychiatrist and creator of the YouTube channel A Psych for Sore Minds, explores crime, mental health, and related issues on his platform.
In a recent video, he addressed the increasing number of cases involving female prison staff engaging in sexual relationships with male inmates. Reports indicate a troubling rise in such incidents, with 29 female prison officers dismissed over the past three years for inappropriate relationships—more than triple the nine cases recorded between 2017 and 2019.
Among the most publicized cases, former HMP Wandsworth officer Linda De Sousa Abreu received a 15-month prison sentence after a viral video emerged showing her engaging in sexual activity with an inmate. Similarly, 29-year-old Toni Cole was sentenced to a year in prison after authorities discovered she had exchanged 4,369 intimate messages and participated in 18 sexualized video calls with a prisoner at HMP Five Wells.
Dr. Das identifies six psychological factors that may contribute to these relationships:
- Tactics of Manipulation
Some inmates master the art of manipulating prison staff, particularly those they perceive as emotionally vulnerable. According to Dr. Das, certain prisoners employ “flattery, charm, or feigned vulnerability” to build trust and affection with officers, using these relationships for personal or emotional advantage. - Gradual Grooming Process
Inmates often take a slow, strategic approach to establish relationships with officers, gradually testing and pushing the limits of professional boundaries. Dr. Das explains that such interactions typically start with subtle flirting, which can escalate until sexual advances are made. He likens this method to grooming behaviors seen in cults or in cases of childhood abuse, as offenders often target individuals they view as vulnerable or easily influenced. - Need for Validation and Attention
Dr. Das highlights a significant psychological aspect where some officers seek emotional validation from inmates, especially if they are grappling with self-esteem issues or personal struggles. Individuals lacking a solid support system outside of work are particularly at risk of forming these emotional connections in the prison context. - Influence of Past Trauma
Officers with histories of trauma or abuse may find themselves more susceptible to manipulation. Dr. Das points out, “The sad truth is that some people, especially women, gravitate towards what’s familiar rather than what is safe.” He also discusses hybristophilia, a condition where individuals feel sexually attracted to criminals, noting that such attractions can occur more frequently than one might think. - Dynamics of Power and Control
Some officers might engage with inmates due to a perceived sense of power within the relationship. However, Dr. Das warns that this notion is often misleading; those officers may believe they are manipulating the inmate, but the reality is that the inmate can often regain control, utilizing the relationship for illegal gains, such as persuading officers to smuggle contraband. - Pressure of High-Stress Work Environments
Dr. Das, who has experience in prison settings, acknowledges that the high-stress nature of the job can be a contributing factor. He notes that prison officers routinely deal with challenging behaviors and face a constant risk of violence, which may lead them to seek emotional connections, even if those connections are inappropriate.
Can Better Training Prevent These Incidents?
While some argue that improved training and supervision could reduce the incidence of these relationships, Dr. Das is skeptical. He suggests that while insufficient training on professional boundaries and the dangers of inmate relationships may leave officers vulnerable, they generally understand that such relationships are inappropriate. During training, prison staff are typically warned about the risks and educated on real-life cases of officers who faced imprisonment for engaging in such affairs.
For a more effective deterrent, Dr. Das proposes that individuals with lived experiences share their personal stories. He emphasizes that it’s crucial to illustrate how nuanced these situations can be, highlighting grooming behaviors and emotional manipulation at play.
President Donald Trump of the United States has enacted a 15 percent import tariff on goods from Nigeria as part of a wider executive order that targets numerous countries within a revised global trade framework. The updated tariff list was revealed by the White House on Thursday, concluding a 90-day extension granted in April to negotiate specific trade agreements. Initially, Nigeria faced a 14 percent tariff, but its implementation was postponed to allow for further discussions.
The updated order raises Nigeria’s tariff to 15 percent, affecting several African and non-African nations. According to the White House, this action aligns with Trump’s policy of “reciprocal tariffs,” which is designed to counter what the administration views as unfair trade practices by US partners. Efforts to negotiate customized trade agreements with African states reportedly did not yield positive outcomes. As the new deadline arrived, the US had failed to establish any trade pacts with any African nation.
In the aftermath of the initial announcement, several countries sought alternative arrangements or exemptions. However, US officials pointed to a lack of progress to justify the execution of the new tariff schedule.
Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, recognized the region’s initiatives to strengthen trade with the US, but noted that travel restrictions imposed during the negotiation period complicated diplomatic efforts. “Nigeria and West African nations worked towards enhancing trade relations with the United States,” Tuggar stated. “However, the travel bans and wider restrictions impeded the process.”
Other countries subjected to the 15 percent tariff include Angola, Ghana, Mozambique, Uganda, Israel, South Korea, and Norway. More substantial tariffs were introduced for countries like India (25%), South Africa (30%), and Switzerland (39%), while some countries, such as Syria, faced tariffs exceeding 40%.
This latest trade order by Trump also impacts the US’s North American neighbors. Canada now faces a 35 percent tariff, while Mexico is subject to a range of tariffs from 25 to 50 percent on various goods, including automobiles, metals, and fentanyl-related products. Brazil, which was initially assigned a 10 percent tariff, now faces a dramatic increase to a 50 percent rate following a separate announcement made on Thursday.
Negotiations with China are still in progress, with no new tariff rate declared for Beijing under the current order.
Complete List of Countries and Corresponding US Import Tariffs Under President Donald Trump’s Revised Trade Order, Announced on August 1, 2025:
10% Tariff
- Falkland Islands
- United Kingdom
- All other countries not specified in the executive order
15% Tariff
Africa:
- Angola
- Botswana
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Ghana
- Lesotho
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Americas:
- Bolivia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- Guyana
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Venezuela
Asia & Pacific:
- Afghanistan
- Fiji
- Israel
- Japan
- Jordan
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Papua New Guinea
- South Korea
- Turkey
- Vanuatu
Europe:
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
18% Tariff
- Nicaragua
19% Tariff
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Pakistan
- Philippines
20% Tariff
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
- Taiwan
- Vietnam
25% Tariff
- Brunei
- India
- Kazakhstan
- Moldova
- Tunisia
30% Tariff
- Algeria
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Libya
- South Africa
35% Tariff
- Iraq
- Serbia
- Canada
39% Tariff
- Switzerland
40% Tariff
- Laos
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Brazil (an additional 40% tariff added on August 1, raising Brazil’s total to 50%)
41% Tariff
- Syria
Special Tariffs (Mexico)
- 25% on fentanyl-related products
- 25% on automobiles
- 50% on steel, aluminium, and copper (effective in 90 days)
China
- No rate announced yet
- Currently engaged in ongoing negotiations with the Trump administration
The United States government has issued a stern warning to Nigerians about the repercussions of engaging in visa fraud and illegal immigration, stating that such actions could lead to a permanent ban on obtaining a visa. This warning was shared in a post on the official X page of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria.
“Individuals who commit visa fraud will face a lifetime ban from entering the United States,” the statement highlighted. It also emphasized, “A nation without borders is not a nation,” illustrating the U.S. government’s ongoing dedication to securing its borders and enforcing strict immigration regulations.
Furthermore, the U.S. has indicated that it will actively seek criminal charges against those involved in visa-related offenses, including individuals who assist or shelter undocumented migrants. This involves sponsors, agents, and smugglers who contribute to the rise of illegal immigration, a practice that has become increasingly prevalent in parts of West Africa.
This warning comes as concerns grow over the increasing number of Nigerians attempting to enter the United States through fraudulent means.
In recent years, U.S. immigration officials have reported numerous incidents involving fake documents, marriage fraud, and misrepresentation during visa interviews. These actions not only threaten the integrity of the U.S. immigration system but also put individuals at risk of detention, deportation, or prosecution.
Several African nations have recently encountered visa restrictions or travel bans from the United States. Initially, countries like Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan were subject to a travel ban. More recently, Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Togo faced partial restrictions.
Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and Ethiopia have also seen a reduction in the validity of certain visas, often attributed to security issues, insufficient cooperation on deportation matters, and inadequate identity verification processes.
Additionally, the U.S. has mandated that the social media accounts of all foreigners applying for visas will be examined for any signs of hostility towards the country’s citizens, culture, government, institutions, or foundational principles.
Nigerians are encouraged to refer to official resources, such as the U.S. Embassy or Consulate websites, for reliable information regarding visa applications.
At least 60 people have lost their lives in a devastating fire at a shopping center in Kut, Iraq, according to officials. The incident occurred at the Corniche Hypermarket on Wednesday night and has since been contained. Eyewitness accounts and social media footage captured firefighters rescuing individuals from the roof, while many others remain unaccounted for.
Regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating that legal action would be initiated against the mall’s owner. Videos broadcasted on INA’s news channel depicted intense flames engulfing multiple floors of the shopping center as firefighters battled to extinguish the blaze. Other clips circulating online showed some people on the roof during the incident and the charred remains of the mall’s interior.
Firefighters managed to rescue several individuals from the burning building, al-Miyahi reported to local media. Emergency services were still transporting victims to hospitals in the city, which is located approximately 160 km (100 miles) southeast of Baghdad, as late as 4:00 AM local time.
The interior ministry’s statement quoted by AFP confirmed the tragic toll of the fire, revealing that 61 innocent people had perished, most succumbing to smoke inhalation in bathrooms, with 14 of the deceased yet to be identified. Nasir al-Quraishi, a local doctor in his 50s, mournfully shared that he lost five family members in the fire. “We went to the mall to have some food, eat dinner and escape power cuts at home. An air conditioner exploded on the second floor, and then the fire erupted, leaving us with no means of escape,” he recounted.
A medical source added, “We have more than 50 martyrs, and many bodies remain unidentified.” An investigation is currently in progress to determine the cause of the blaze, with preliminary results expected in the next two days. Al-Miyahi stated the incident should serve as a wake-up call, leading to a thorough review of safety protocols.
The shopping had opened just five days ago, AFP reported.
source: BBC
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