JACKSON, MI – A female corrections officer at a Jackson prison was suspended Monday as officials investigate if she had inappropriate relations with an inmate.

A male corrections officer also was suspended for having a relationship with a woman on probation, which is not allowed for employees of the Michigan Department of Corrections.

The two officers work at the G. Robert Cotton Facility in Jackson and were both suspended Monday, July 28, according to MDOC Spokesman Russ Marlan.

Marlan said the female officer, who is not allowed to have a cell phone while on duty, was caught making a phone call on July 21. It was later determined that she had been calling a prisoner, also not allowed to have a cell phone, housed at the same facility. Officials believe the female officer supplied the prisoner with the phone, but are still investigating, Marlan said.

"This is a serious issue," Marlan said. "This significantly undermines the safety of our correctional facility."

Marlan was not able to verify if the relationship between the officer and the inmate was romantic.

The male corrections officer was suspended for having contact with a woman, not housed at the facility, but who is on probation.

"Staff are not allowed to have contact with those on parole, probation or in prison without written permission," Marlan said.

He said the officer requested approval from the MDOC to see the woman on probation, but it was denied.

"It appeared despite the denial, he had a relationship with the female probationer," Marlan said.

Both cases are under review and could lead to the officers' termination.