LONDON, United Kingdom – The aunt of ZARA Aleena, a law graduate murdered by Jordan McSweeney, is criticizing HMP Belmarsh after reports emerged that McSweeney had a romantic relationship with a prison worker. McSweeney, who was previously jailed for life with a minimum of 38 years (later reduced to 33 years) for Aleena’s brutal murder, is said to have engaged in the affair, which was discovered when prison guards found him and the worker locked in a room having sex.
The unnamed 32-year-old female worker, employed in the workshop at HMP Belmarsh, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Aleena’s aunt, Farah Naz, is pushing for a public investigation into the incident, questioning how such a relationship was able to take place within one of the country’s high-security prisons.
McSweeney, described by an ex-girlfriend as a “ticking timebomb,” had 28 previous convictions for 69 offenses. He had been released from prison just nine days before the attack on Aleena, despite having his probation revoked. The attack on Aleena, captured on CCTV, resulted in her brutal murder, after which horrified neighbors found her struggling to breathe.
The case has raised questions about the security and oversight within HMP Belmarsh, prompting calls for a reevaluation of the prison’s procedures and the vetting of personnel interacting with high-profile inmates like McSweeney. The Ministry of Justice has expressed zero tolerance for inappropriate relationships with prisoners, while the Metropolitan Police continues its investigation into the alleged misconduct at HMP Belmarsh.
The tragic murder of ZARA Aleena and the subsequent revelations about McSweeney’s actions highlight the need for transparency and accountability in the oversight of inmates in high-security prisons. The case also underscores the importance of ensuring the safety and security of workers within such facilities, prompting calls for renewed scrutiny of prison protocols and procedures.