Police: Nurse had sexual contact with inmate

A nurse is accused of having sexual contact with an inmate in the medical office of York County Prison.

Shelby Renee Houck, 24, of Mary Drive in Mechanicsburg, is charged with institutional sexual assault, according to charging documents.

The state police, which handle criminal investigations at the prison, said on May 31 they reviewed phone and video call records and letters between Houck and the inmate. The correspondence revealed the pair were having a sexual relationship, police said.

Police were initially alerted when another staff member questioned the inmate about it, according to state police spokesman Trooper Rob Hicks.

"One of the staff members just kind of got an inkling that something wasn't right," he said.

On June 1, the inmate spoke to police, saying he and Houck were involved in a relationship, police said. He said the contact happened in the prison's medical office when he was getting his blood pressure checked, documents state. 

Police called Houck, who declined to be interviewed. Charges were filed against Houck on Thursday, but Houck has not been taken into custody, according to online court records. 

Houck was working at the prison through PrimeCare Medical, the prison's contracted inmate health care provider, according to a statement from the prison. Houck's security clearance was revoked May 23 because of the investigative findings, and Houck was escorted out of the prison, the release states.

Todd Haskins, vice president of operations for PrimeCare Medical, confirmed Friday that Houck is no longer employed with the company.

— Reach Christopher Dornblaser at cdornblaser@yorkdispatch.com or on Twitter at @YDDornblaser.