A former prison officer at HMP Long Lartin has pleaded guilty to having a secret relationship with an inmate. Jade Morris, 36, from Herefordshire, entered her plea at Birmingham Crown Court on 25 March 2026, admitting she conducted a prolonged relationship with prisoner Jerome Nunes while working at the high-security prison in Worcestershire.

What Happened at Long Lartin Prison?

Jade Morris, a former officer at HMP Long Lartin, admitted at Birmingham Crown Court on 25 March 2026 that she had conducted a secret relationship with inmate Jerome Nunes, 35, over a period of approximately six months between July 2022 and January 2023. The pair communicated using a mobile phone that had been smuggled into the prison, a device that prisoners are strictly prohibited from possessing. Morris knew that prisoners were not permitted to have access to mobile phones, yet she chose to engage in a prolonged relationship with Nunes, directly facilitating his criminal behaviour and undermining the security of one of the United Kingdom’s highest-security prisons. Jerome Nunes had previously pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 10 February 2026 to possessing and using an unauthorised mobile phone in prison.

How Was the Relationship Discovered?

The relationship came to light in October 2022 when a banned mobile phone was thrown out of a prison window at HMP Long Lartin. The discovery of the device triggered an investigation by prison authorities, which uncovered evidence of the communications between Morris and Nunes. Messages recovered from the phone revealed the extent and nature of their relationship. The investigation was conducted jointly by prison authorities and law enforcement, leading to both Morris and Nunes being charged with relevant offences. The case serves as an example of the forensic scrutiny that prison authorities apply to contraband devices when they are discovered inside prison.

What Are the Charges?

Jade Morris pleaded guilty to two charges: wilfully neglecting to perform her duty in a public office, and assisting or encouraging a prisoner to commit an offence. The first charge relates to her breach of the professional obligations owed by a prison officer as a public official. The second charge relates to her role in facilitating Nunes’s possession and use of an unauthorised mobile phone inside the prison. Her sentencing was scheduled for 3 June 2026 at Birmingham Crown Court. Jerome Nunes’s sentencing was scheduled for 16 April 2026. The sentences they receive will depend on the severity of the conduct and any mitigating or aggravating factors presented to the court. For information about how relatives can stay in contact with inmates, see our guide to booking a prison visit.

About HMP Long Lartin

HMP Long Lartin is a Category A and Category B high-security prison located in South Littleton, near Evesham in Worcestershire. It was opened in 1971 and holds some of the United Kingdom’s most dangerous and high-profile prisoners, including those convicted of terrorism, murder, and serious organised crime. The prison has a certified normal accommodation of around 609 inmates. As one of the UK’s dispersal prisons — facilities designed to hold the most dangerous Category A prisoners — Long Lartin operates under exceptionally strict security protocols. The discovery of a secret relationship between a prison officer and an inmate at such a facility is taken extremely seriously by the Prison Service, as it represents a fundamental breach of security and trust. For more information about the prison, visit our dedicated page on Long Lartin Prison.

Prison Officer Misconduct in the UK

Prison officer misconduct is taken extremely seriously by His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). Officers owe a duty of impartiality, professionalism, and security to the state and to the prisoners in their care. Any romantic or sexual relationship between a prison officer and an inmate is strictly prohibited under the Prison Rules 1999 and constitutes gross misconduct that will result in dismissal and is likely to lead to criminal prosecution. The offence of misconduct in public office carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in England and Wales, though sentences for cases of this nature typically fall far below that threshold. The Prison Service regularly conducts intelligence-led operations to identify corruption and inappropriate relationships within prisons. Smuggled mobile phones are a particular security concern, as they can be used not only for personal communications but also to facilitate organised crime, intimidation of witnesses, and the coordination of criminal activity from inside prison. For details about what is and is not permitted in UK prisons, see our guide on sending items to prisoners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Jade Morris plead guilty to at Long Lartin Prison?

Jade Morris, a former officer at HMP Long Lartin, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court on 25 March 2026 to wilfully neglecting to perform her duty in a public office and assisting or encouraging a prisoner to commit an offence. The charges relate to a secret relationship she conducted with inmate Jerome Nunes over six months in 2022 to 2023.

How was the relationship between Jade Morris and the inmate discovered?

The relationship was discovered in October 2022 when a banned mobile phone was thrown out of a window at HMP Long Lartin. An investigation recovered communications between Morris and inmate Jerome Nunes from the device, revealing the extent of their relationship.

When will Jade Morris be sentenced?

Jade Morris’s sentencing was scheduled for 3 June 2026 at Birmingham Crown Court. Jerome Nunes, the prisoner involved, was due to be sentenced on 16 April 2026.

What security category is Long Lartin Prison?

HMP Long Lartin is a high-security Category A and Category B prison located near Evesham in Worcestershire. It is a dispersal prison and holds some of the most dangerous and high-profile prisoners in England and Wales, including those convicted of terrorism and serious violent offences.

Is it illegal for a prison officer to have a relationship with an inmate?

Yes. It is a criminal offence for a prison officer in England and Wales to have a relationship with an inmate. Such conduct constitutes misconduct in a public office and can also result in charges of assisting or encouraging a prisoner to commit an offence. Prison officers found to have engaged in such relationships face dismissal and criminal prosecution. The offence of misconduct in public office carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, though sentences in practice are far lower.