Parc Prison officer admits smuggling drugs into jail

A prison officer at crisis-hit HMP Parc smuggled drugs into the prison with the intention of dealing the substances. She also received a sum of money to convey the drugs behind bars.

Jodie Beer, 30, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, 3 June, where she pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office.

The offence took place between November 2021 and February 2022, when she willfully received a quantity of class A drugs, namely cocaine, received a sum of money to convey the drugs into HMP Parc in Bridgend, and received a package containing illicit items to convey into prison.

The former prison officer, of Birch Grove, Llanharry, near Pontyclun, also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession with intent to supply cannabis, and possession with intent to supply buprenorphine.

Defence barrister Owen Williams said the offences took place at a time when his client was suffering with mental instability and an addiction to drugs.

South Wales Police said Beer was arrested in the prison car park in February 2022 and resigned from her role following the charges.

The Recorder of Cardiff, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, remanded Beer on bail to appear for her sentencing hearing on August 9, to allow for a pre-sentence report and a psychiatric report to be carried out. She warned the defendant that she faced imprisonment, with reports to consider length rather than suspension.

Detective Inspector Jason Meadows, of Tarian, the regional organised crime unit for south Wales, 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.

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

A HMP Parc spokesperson said, “This outcome sends a strong message to those who may seek to disrupt the prison’s regime by attempting to bring contraband into Parc.

"The vast majority of our staff are honest and hard working and we expect the highest standards of conduct from them. We would like to thank the Regional Organised Crime Unit for their efforts in this matter and will continue to work closely with them and wider law enforcement to ensure that anyone who breaks the law by smuggling contraband into Parc is brought to justice.”

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