Prison Employee Accused of Having Sexual Relationship With Inmate

A State College woman who worked at State Correctional Institution Benner Township has been charged after allegedly having a sexual relationship with a prisoner.

On Tuesday, Miranda Weaver, 31, was arrested on a felony count of institutional sexual assault following an investigation that began in March.

According to a criminal complaint the case began when supervisors at the prison received an anonymous tip.

Weaver worked in the prison’s gym.

A surveillance camera reportedly videotaped Weaver kissing the male inmate during an encounter in an equipment closet.

State Police were notified and an investigator interviewed Weaver on March 19.

Weaver allegedly admitted that she developed a personal relationship with the inmate about five months earlier and that she and the inmate had had sex in the equipment closet approximately five times since January.

The criminal complaint says Weaver was never asked to smuggle anything into the prison, and that she was in love with the inmate.

A prison spokesperson says Weaver is no longer employed at the facility.

Weaver was arraigned in front of Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker on Tuesday and released on unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 29 at 11 a.m.