'Too sexy' jail officer had warning

A prison officer who claims she was bullied out of her job for being too sexy would "horse around" with inmates, a tribunal heard.

Miss Amitjo Kajla allowed inmates to touch her on the arms and shoulders according to her workmates at Brinsford Prison near Wolverhampton, the hearing was told.

Colleagues told Birmingham Employment Tribunal the 22-year-old, whose ex-boyfriend was serving time for armed robbery, preferred to be friends with prisoners rather than being assertive.

Senior officer Shaun Elcock told the tribunal: "I witnessed her on one occasion horsing around with prisoners.

"They were tapping her on the right shoulder and then walking to her left. She preferred to be friends with prisoners."

Miss Kajla, of Birmingham Road, Wolverhampton, is seeking compensation for constructive dismissal, alleging she was forced to resign in April last year after barbed remarks by colleagues about her appearance and behaviour.

Miss Kajla moved to Brinsford, a young offenders' institute in Featherstone, Staffordshire, in July 2007 after a trouble-free spell at Shrewsbury Prison.

Mr Elcock said: "She got unnecessary attention from the prisoners that could have left her vulnerable to assault. You can still build a rapport with prisoners but they need to know the boundaries."

Jenny Smith, head of business management at the prison, warned Miss Kajla about her make-up and inappropriate clothing in her first few weeks at Brinsford Prison. She told the hearing: "I told her she was drawing unwanted attention from young adults.

"I advised her that loose hair should be tied back as young prisoners could pull it and said her nails were too long.

"She was also advised not to wear so much make-up and that her uniform was tight.

"I was surprised she favoured her appearance over prison safety."

She said Miss Kajla had not taken on board their discussion when she started as a fully fledged prison officer.

But Stephen Roberts, for Miss Kajla, claimed she did take on board the advice.

"She did tone down her make-up and wore less jewellery," he said. The hearing continues.