Prison officer from Rhondda guilty of drug charges

Jodie Lee Beer has been sentenced to prison for six years

Author: Jess PaynePublished 12th Aug 2024
Last updated 12th Aug 2024

Jodie Lee Beer, a 30-year-old woman from the Rhondda, was sentenced to prison for six years at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.

Beer was working as a prison officer for Parc Prison in Bridgend, when she was found to be in possession of drugs and arrested in the prison car park in February 2022.

She was charged with misconduct whilst acting as a public officer, possession with intent to supply, and possession of class A and class C drugs.

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.”

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.