A former Headingley Correctional Centre correctional officer has admitted to smuggling marijuana and other contraband into the jail in exchange for sexual favours from prisoners.

Morley Zachedniak recently pleaded guilty to one count each of sexual assault and trafficking in marijuana.

Crown and defence lawyers are jointly recommending Zachedniak be sentenced to three years in prison. He will return to court for sentencing Aug. 30.

Zachedniak was escorting an inmate to the laundry room in late 2009 or early 2010 when Zachedniak offered him "an assortment of contraband" in exchange for oral sex, Crown attorney Mike Himmelman told court.

When the inmate refused, Zachedniak told him he would not be allowed to leave until he complied. The inmate "felt forced and threatened and performed (the sex act) on the accused against his will," Himmelman said. "He described this in his statement as the worst three minutes of his life."

At one point in the assault, the inmate stopped and told Zachedniak he was prepared to fight rather than continue.

"The accused suggested that if (the inmate) made a scene, the other guards would assume he was trying to fight and he would go to the hole or solitary confinement," Himmelman said.

The inmate disclosed the assault in June 2010 during an interview with another corrections officer investigating alleged illegal activities within the jail. The inmate went on to provide a police statement in June 2011.

During the same internal investigation, another inmate disclosed that between December 2008 and June 2009 Zachedniak had provided him with marijuana and "assorted contraband" two to three times a month.

The inmate told investigators Zachedniak asked for sexual favours in exchange for the drugs, but he always said no.