A 30-year-old woman from the Rhondda was sentenced to prison for six years at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday August 9 2024.

Jodie Lee Beer, 30, of Llanharry, Rhondda Cynon Taff, was working as a prison officer for Parc Prison, Bridgend, when she was arrested in the prison car park in February 2022.

Beer was found to be in possession of concealed drugs and was subsequently charged with misconduct whilst acting as a public officer, possession with intent to supply, and possession of class A and class C drugs. She resigned her role following the charges.

The investigation was led by Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales, and supported by His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service.

Detective Inspector Jason Meadows, of Tarian ROCU, said:

“The overwhelming majority of prison staff carry out their duties to the highest standards, and the actions of the minority who engage in illicit behaviour should not detract from the efforts and dedication of the former.

“Today’s sentence will serve as warning to others who use their position to flout the law. Beer worked in a position of trust in our community and she took advantage of this for her own personal gain.

“We will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who engage in criminal activities and threaten the security of our prisons.”

Sarah Ingram, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“What Beer did in arranging to take large amounts of controlled drugs into the prison where she worked was a gross breach of trust.

“The drugs had been prepped to take into the prison and were clearly for onward supply. As a prison officer she was in a position of responsibility and her behaviour fell far below the standards that are expected.

“The CPS continues to work closely with our law enforcement colleagues, in this case the southern Wales Regional Organised Crime Unit, in the prosecution of offences such as this. We have now begun steps to confiscate the proceeds of this crime.”