Maghaberry prison gates
A female prison officer has been arrested on suspicion of having an affair with an inmate.
The woman was detained by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) on suspicion of misconduct in a public office. She has since been released on bail.
The prison officer works at Maghaberry high security prison in Co Antrim. She has been suspended from duty.
It is understood the alleged relationship was with a convicted killer.
A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "The Northern Ireland Prison Service can confirm that a member of staff has been suspended following an internal investigation. This is now a matter for the PSNI and it would be inappropriate to comment further."
A PSNI spokesman said: "PSNI have arrested a female on suspicion of misconduct in a public office."
The BBC reports that police were called in after a "covert intelligence operation" by the prison authorities.
It is alleged that they had become concerned that the pair had formed an inappropriate relationship.
The officer was arrested and is facing a charge of gross misconduct in public office.
It is reported the prisoner involved is Robert Young from Portadown who was jailed in 2005 for 22-years for the murder of drug dealer Jim Johnston outside his Crawfordsburn home in County Down.
In a statement to the BBC the department of Justice said: "NI Prison Service can confirm that a member of staff has been suspended following an internal investigation.
"This is now a matter for the PSNI and it would be inappropriate to comment further."