Prison Officer Sentenced for Illicit Relationship with Inmate

A female prison officer has been sentenced for engaging in a six-month intimate relationship with an inmate at HMP Long Lartin, a maximum-security prison in Worcestershire. Jade Morris, 37, and inmate Jerome Nunes, 35, exchanged over 5,000 messages between July 2022 and January 2023, including sexually explicit images sent via Snapchat.

Morris pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office and encouraging Nunes to use an illegal phone. The court heard that prison officials became suspicious after Nunes attempted to conceal their relationship by throwing a phone out of his cell window. Police investigations uncovered thousands of messages and explicit photos exchanged between the pair on platforms like WhatsApp and Snapchat.

Nunes, who was serving a 12-year sentence for conspiracy to supply cocaine, was also found to be in possession of and using an unauthorized mobile phone. He pleaded guilty to two offenses under the Prison Act 1952.

During her sentencing hearing at Birmingham Crown Court, it was revealed that Morris, a mother of two, was undergoing a divorce and caring for her ill father at the time of the offenses. Her defense stated there was no evidence of physical contact and that she was ashamed and embarrassed by her actions. Nunes' defense noted he had faced repercussions within prison and had since settled well after his release, starting a small food business.

Prosecutors emphasized the significant breach of trust, stating that Morris, a prison custody officer, facilitated Nunes' criminal offending and undermined prison security by engaging in the prolonged relationship and enabling his access to a mobile phone. The Crown Prosecution Service highlighted that the case demonstrated a deliberate breach of trust and aimed to send a message that individuals abusing public positions will be held accountable.