YORK COUNTY, Pa. — A York County Prison corrections officer is facing charges for allegedly having a relationship with an inmate.
Officials say Jennifer Claybaugh, 37, of Etters, and the man were both assigned to the work release section of the prison, her as an officer and him as an inmate. The two became romantically involved, meeting up while she was off duty and he was on work release. Prison officials became aware of the relationship and notified police on Aug. 17, 2023.
The inmate allegedly admitted to the relationship when law enforcement officials interviewed him. He allegedly told officers that he and Claybaugh would have sexual encounters in her car in the parking lot of his place of employment while he was on work release. He also allegedly confirmed to police that he did not know Claybaugh prior to being incarcerated and their relationship began while he was in the York County Prison.
When police interviewed Claybaugh, she said that she and the inmate's relationship began with casual conversation before her "emotions overshadowed her decision making," according to a criminal complaint.
The pair allegedly began meeting up in June of 2023.
Claybaugh told officers that she knew the relationship was wrong due to her employment at the correctional facility but did not think it was illegal, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Claybaugh also allegedly said that all contact between the two was consensual and she never felt forced.
Claybaugh was arrested and charged with institutional sexual assault. She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 19.
