A prison official in the Eastern Cape has been suspended following allegations that she had sexual intercourse with an inmate, the department of Correctional Services said on Friday.

"Investigations are currently afoot to determine whether this was a once-off activity or an ongoing phenomenon [at the Kokstad Maximum Correctional Facility]," said correctional services spokesperson Phumlani Ximiya.

"And whether one official or many officials were involved," he said.

Allegedly the warder opened the electric control gates to gain access to the inmate's cell and had sex with him in exchange for R1000.

"All these details will be investigated and once they have been finalised severe penalties will be meted out to all those found to have compromised the image of the Department as well as the character of a Correctional official."

The inmate in question allegedly has a history of escaping from correctional service centres.

Ximiya said that the inmate would also be punished once investigations were complete.

"The Department will not allow a few rotten potatoes to remain in the service geared at upholding the public safety of all South African citizens," he said.