PRISON psychologists will face new standards of conduct to stop them having love affairs with ­inmates.

A year-long study has been ­conducted into the jail romance phenomenon by Corrective Services NSW to try to understand why it ­happens and to avoid further liaisons.

At least three female psychologists have either quit or been dismissed since 2011 over unethical relationships with inmates.

media_camera Loveridge had an inappropriate relationship with a female prison staff member.

A fourth woman remains under ­investigation for an improper relationship with Kieran Loveridge, whose unprovoked assault on teenager Thomas Kelly in 2012 prompted stricter sentencing for coward-punch assaults.

The introduction of new standards specifically to prevent liaisons with inmates is unprecedented in Australia and possibly a world-first for psychologists in a prison setting, a government official said.

Corrective Services was given a $50,000 grant by the NSW Psychology Council in May last year to research the topic and develop new standards to prevent psychologists from falling in love with the prisoners they assist.

One month after the grant was awarded, a drug and alcohol worker was found to be living with a parolee and dismissed.

The woman was running group sessions with inmates at Long Bay Correctional Centre and became ­involved with an inmate, who was later granted parole and moved in with her.

Corrective Services was alerted after the parolee attempted to extort money from her.

Earlier this month CSNSW presented its draft standards to the Psychology Board of Australia for consideration. If approved, the standards will be implemented across the CSNSW, a spokesman said.

Another recent case includes a woman who resigned after forming a relationship with an inmate serving a lengthy sentence for murder.

WHY PRISON STAFF FALL FOR INMATES ● Staff member vulnerability through loneliness, relationship crisis or disillusionment ● Inmate makes them feel attractive or clever and the gratitude reinforces a connection ● People with elements of a Borderline, Dependent, Narcissistic or Histrionic personality disorder may be at a heightened risk ● Staff member ignores probable consequences of job loss due to the intense excitement and fantasy of ideal love.

The woman used a false name to allow the inmate to make Skype calls to her. She also acknowledged entering false information into his case notes.

The inmate, whose name ­remains suppressed, was granted parole last year.

Another case was that of Joanne Senior, a prison psychologist who ­become involved with one of the ­notorious Skaf gang rapists.

On May 29 the Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard that Ms Senior admitted to purchasing a phone in a false name to communicate with him and obtained a passport in his name.

She also shared confidential case notes with him and moved in with his mother for a period of time.

The Psychology Board of Australia classed the liaisons as a “workplace hazard” of the corrections environment which, at times, posed “complex professional issues” for its staff.

“The work by CSNSW promises to support this professional service and protect staff from a variety of workplace hazards,” the board said.

media_camera The drug and alcohol worker who fell for a Long Bay inmate.

CASE FILES:

MY LONG BAY LOVER

CASE #1: Drug and alcohol worker at Long Bay Correctional Centre who fell for an inmate who ended up getting parole and moving in with her. She was dismissed in June 2014 after he tried to extort money from her and she alerted police.

THE MURDERER AND ME

CASE #2: Woman working at a Correctional Centre who began a relationship with a man serving a lengthy murder sentence. They communicated using a phone service purchased under a false name. She resigned from her job but the relationship continued and in 2014 he was granted parole.

I FELL IN LOVE WITH A RAPIST

CASE #3: Joanne Senior, a psychologist at Parklea Correctional Centre, who changed her identity and obtained a new passport under the name of the inmate she loved. At the time they met he was serving 16 and a half years for his role in the notorious Skaf gang rapes leading up to the 2000 Olympics.

THE KILLER AND I

CASE #4: Ongoing investigation into a female worker at Mid-North Coast Correctional Centre in West Kempsey. The woman is alleged to have partaken in an improper relationship with Kieran Loveridge, the one-punch killer whose crime prompted legal reforms across Australia.