Donna Ridgeway, 48, was arrested after she allegedly tried to persuade a female inmate to perform a sex act on a male guard

A former correctional officer was arrested after she allegedly tried to persuade a female inmate to perform a sex act on a deputy or jail employee.

Donna Ridgeway, 48, was terminated after she had a conversation with an inmate encouraging her to potentially 'get herself out' by 'getting a deputy or someone to do something with that inmate', according to the Ledger-Enquirer.

She's accused of helping the inmate plot a way to get out of jail early by performing oral sex on a male deputy or corrections officer.

Russel County Sheriff Heath Taylor said an investigation was launched into the incident two weeks ago.

The sex act never happened and the inmate reported the incident to authorities.

Authorities said they reviewed a portion of the alleged conversation that was captured on a recording device.

Taylor told the Ledger that officials believe the 'evidence will show that Ms Ridgeway engaged in conversation and committed an overt act in helping a potential crime take place'.

He said he's glad the inmate was honest enough to report the incident but disappointed that Ridgeway 'crossed the line'.

Taylor told the Ledger: 'I think that we do everything we can to explain and teach the correctional officers that they can't get involved with inmates on a personal level.

'Sometimes, we can't stop it.'

Ridgeway had worked as a correctional officer for four years and she was working for Russell County Jail when she was arrested.

Correctional officers are trained to avoid developing any type of personal relationships with the inmates, such as telling them private information about their lives.

Ridgeway was charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit sodomy. Her bond was set at $7,500 and she will be housed in the Lee County Jail for safety reasons.