A PRISON officer has been sentenced to six years in prison after being caught attempting to smuggle drugs and mobile phones into HMP Parc in Bridgend, Wales. The court heard that the officer had been offered thousands of pounds to carry out the illegal activity.
The case was presented at Merthyr Crown Court, where it was revealed that Jodie Beer, a 30-year-old former prison officer, was apprehended by police with a significant stash of drugs and mobile phones concealed within orange juice cartons. The arrest took place in February 2022, when Beer was stopped by police outside the prison during a break.
During a search of Beer’s vehicle, officers discovered a zip-lock bag containing light brown powder, tubes of white tablets, and a plastic carrier bag holding large cartons labelled as orange juice. Beer initially claimed that the items had been placed in her car by someone else. However, upon closer inspection, the cartons were found to contain controlled drugs, mobile phones, and SIM cards.
In total, the police recovered nearly 22 grams of cocaine, over 628 grams of cannabis, and dozens of buprenorphine tablets, a strong painkiller. A subsequent search of Beer’s partner’s home led to the discovery of £4,000 in cash.
During her police interview, Beer admitted that she had been approached by a prisoner who offered her £5,000 to smuggle the contraband into the prison. She confessed to collecting the packages, including the pre-packed orange juice cartons, from an unknown individual at a layby.
Beer, of Llanharry, Rhondda Cynon Taff, had previously pleaded guilty to charges of possession of Class A, B, and C drugs with intent to supply, as well as to an offence of misconduct in public office. She was sentenced to six years in prison for her crimes.
The case highlights the serious consequences of corruption within the prison system and the severe penalties for those who breach their duties for personal gain.
