A Long Lartin prison officer who refused to conduct intimate searches on male prisoners has won a landmark sex discrimination case against the prison service.

Forty-one-year old Carol Saunders told an employment tribunal in Birmingham last week of her repulsion at the thought of having to conduct rub-down searches on male rapists, murderers and armed robbers.

To support her case she pointed out that male prison officers were not required to frisk females.

The deputy governor of the top security prison in South Littleton, Ian Evans, argued that to allow Mrs Saunders not to frisk male prisoners would dramatically change the work of the female prison staff and it would mean a change of policy. The tribunal, however, found in her favour.

This week Mrs Saunders, whose husband Marcus is also a prison officer at the jail, told of her uphill struggle to bring the case to a tribunal.

Although her union colleagues at Long Lartin supported her, the national Prison Officers' Association was not so sympathetic.

She said: "I am relieved that my ordeal is over and justice has been done, but I was very disappointed at the lack of help that my union gave me. They refused to assist me in my application for an employment tribunal hearing and it was only after much pressure that they reluctantly agreed to offer the use of their solicitors, subject to certain conditions. They also consistently refused any funding towards my legal costs, even though I asked only for a contribution. They also refused to help me negotiate with the Prison Service regarding this case."

Local union representative at Long Lartin, Mick Redman, said: "Carol was perfectly justified in refusing to rub-down male prisoners. If asked I would certainly refuse to rub-down women because it lays you open to allegations of assault. In contrast male prisoners enjoy being frisked by women which is equally worrying."

General secretary of the association, Brian Caton said: "The association is deeply concerned at the comments made by Carol and her perception of the lack of support given to her by the union.

"Obviously all legal applications are dealt with in line with our policies and procedures. I have asked for a meeting to take place urgently to review the manner in which this application was processed."

The Prison Service is considering appealing against the tribunal's decision.

Meanwhile Mrs Saunders' solicitor is seeking compensation for her treatment in the Prison Service.