Prison Officer Exchanged More Than 5,000 Snapchat Messages With Convicted Drug Dealer

A former prison officer is due to be sentenced after admitting misconduct in public office and encouraging a convicted drug dealer to use a prohibited mobile phone while he was in prison.

Jade Morris, from Holmer, Hereford, admitted the offences at a hearing in March after an investigation uncovered thousands of messages exchanged with inmate Jerome Nunes.

The court heard that Morris and Nunes had an intimate relationship while she worked at HMP Long Lartin, a high-security prison in Worcestershire.

Relationship Uncovered After Mobile Phone Found

The relationship came to light in October 2022 after Nunes threw a mobile phone from his cell window during a search at the prison.

Prosecutor Cathlyn Orchard told Birmingham Crown Court that investigators recovered evidence of communications between the pair, including WhatsApp messages, files, Snapchat calls and messages.

More than 5,000 illicit messages were found during the investigation. Some communications reportedly took place during the early hours of the morning.

Nunes, 35, was serving a sentence for a drugs conspiracy offence imposed at Cardiff Crown Court in 2019. He has 23 previous convictions for 31 offences, the court heard.

Morris Initially Denied the Relationship

Morris was arrested at her home in January 2023. During the initial investigation, she denied having a relationship with Nunes and described the allegations as “ludicrous”.

Further police inquiries examined her phone and recovered digital evidence linking her to the prisoner. She was interviewed again in May 2024 and admitted communicating with an inmate, although she initially declined to identify him.

The investigation also recovered deleted material and a letter found on Nunes’s phone. The prosecution suggested that some of the material indicated the pair may have shared sexual images.

However, defence barrister Holly Sims said there was no evidence of physical contact or explicit photographs being exchanged.

Defence Asks Court to Consider Suspended Sentence

Morris’s defence argued that she was deeply ashamed and embarrassed by her conduct and asked the court to consider a suspended sentence.

Nunes, who was released from prison almost two years ago, is also facing sentencing in connection with his use and possession of an unauthorised mobile phone.

His barrister, Matthew Bolt, told the court that Nunes was now running a small food business and wanted to move forward with his life.

Both defendants had been on bail but were remanded in custody overnight ahead of sentencing.

Sentencing Due This Week

Morris pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office and encouraging an inmate to use a prohibited device.

The case highlights the importance of professional boundaries and security rules within prisons, where unauthorised phones can undermine monitoring and allow prohibited contact with people outside custody.

Morris and Nunes are due to be sentenced on Friday.

The court will determine the penalties following their guilty pleas.