Latest news with #AnthonySaunderson
The Independent
26-05-2025
- The Independent
Surge in prison officers investigated over inappropriate relationships with inmates amid jails' staffing crisis
The number of prison officers investigated for inappropriate relationships with inmates has almost tripled in five years, The Independent can reveal. New figures from prisons in England and Wales have revealed a surge in staff investigated for corruption, with those probed for relationships with prisoners up from 51 in 2020 to 144 last year. Experts have warned instances of staff wrongdoing are escalating because 'teenagers with no work experience beyond Saturday jobs' are being recruited to some of the most challenging prisons in the country amid a recruitment and retention crisis in overcrowded jails. Only 30 of the prison officers probed for inappropriate relationships in 2024 faced sanctions classed as 'management or above outcomes', which includes criminal charges, dismissal, transfers, formal warnings or re-gradings. The number of prison officers investigated for sneaking contraband into jails was also up 86 per cent in the same five-year period, according to figures obtained by The Independent via a freedom of information request. This can include items such as drugs and mobile phones. It comes as the former governor of HMP Kirkham, Lancashire, last week found herself on the other side of the prison bars as she was jailed for nine years for a relationship with a drug gang boss known to his criminal associates as 'Jesse Pinkman' from hit TV show Breaking Bad. Kerri Pegg, 42, signed off on temporary release for her lover Anthony Saunderson, who is serving a 35-year term, and accepted a £12,000 Mercedes from him paid for with 34kg of amphetamines. A week earlier senior prisoner officer Tracey Boateng was handed a 12-month suspended sentence after engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a drug dealer inside HMP Pentonville, north London. The 27-year-old, who had joined the prison service through a graduate scheme in 2020, was filmed kissing and hugging the prisoner during their 'fairytale' relationship between February and April last year. In January Linda De Sousa Abreu was jailed for 15 months after she was filmed having sex with an inmate inside HMP Wandsworth just five months after she was recruited. Footage of the encounter, filmed by another inmate, was posted on X and went viral, leading to other female officers at the prison being subjected to sexual approaches and being seen as 'fair game'. Tom Wheatley, the chair of the Prison Governors Association, said the rise was a 'concern' for prison governors. 'These increases are driven, in part, by HMPPS inability to retain staff, which means that they are permanently recruiting,' he said. 'This increases the risk that the wrong people will be recruited and that staff will have to work in an environment where they have few experienced staff to guide them and where they are facing sophisticated prisoners prepared to use violence and intimidation to get what they want. 'Investment is needed in recruitment but also in pay in order to improve retention and build confidence and competence.' Less than a quarter of band 3 to 5 prison officers have more than ten years experience, according to HMPPS figures, while almost 40 per cent have been in the job under three years. Dr Bronwen Frow-Jones, of Cardiff University, has carried out independent research into prison officer wrongdoing. She agreed recruitment, vetting and training of prison officers, which is carried out centrally rather than by individual prisons, is 'completely inadequate'. 'Teenagers with no work experience beyond Saturday jobs are being recruited and, after eight weeks training at college, can find themselves working in some of the most challenging prisons in the country,' she told The Independent. She believes the most effective way to reduce instances of staff corruption is to improve training and ensure officers feel safe to report problems, noting minor even infractions of professional boundaries can eventually lead to serious wrongdoing. She added: 'There needs to be increased understanding why some prison officers decide to risk their jobs, their reputations and their freedom through engaging in corrupt activities. 'The prisoners who are probably the most influential in the establishment for dealing drugs and phones tend to get on with staff the most. They get themselves into those positions where they can gain the trust of staff with a view to violating professional boundaries.' Mark Fairhurst, the national chair of the Prison Officers Association, warned corrupt staff place others at risk. 'A lack of adequate vetting coupled with unfit for purpose recruitment processes and initial training that does not prepare new recruits for the reality of the role all contribute to corruption,' he said. 'Inexperienced staff will always be at risk of conditioning from experienced prisoners. 'Thankfully, the majority of officers are decent, honest, professional public servants and the employer is taking this threat seriously and continues to target individuals who should never wear the king's uniform.' A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'While most prison staff are honest, we are catching more of the minority who break the rules through our Counter-Corruption Unit and stronger vetting. 'Where officers fall below our high standards, we do not hesitate to take robust action.'
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Moment prison governor is arrested by police as she's jailed for relationship with drug boss who she released early
This is the moment a 'rising star' prison governor was arrested by police for having a relationship with a drug boss, who she released early despite not having the authority to do so herself. Kerri Pegg from Up Holland in Lancashire, was previously described as a 'rising star' of the Prison Service, climbing her way from the graduate scheme to a governor at HMP Kirkham in Lancashire, in only six years But now, the 42-year-old has been jailed after being convicted of misconduct in public office and possession of criminal property at Preston Crown Court on April 9, as it emerged she had a relationship with Liverpool crime figure Anthony Saunderson. Bodycam footage of the divorcee's arrest, shows officers approach her home in Ogwell, Wigan. She later recoils in shock upon hearing news of a complaint, with officers later arrestidng her for the crimes. 'Petite, blonde and bubbly' Pegg was a governor-grade prison officer at the Lancashire prison in 2018 when Saunderson was reaching the end of a lengthy 10-year sentence for large scale drug dealing. During the trail, it was heard how the divorcee prison guard 'didn't play by the rules', beginning a romance with the crime boss, and later helping him secure early release from prison in mid-2019. The court heard how a toothbrush and size 10 Hugo boss flip flops containing Saunderson's DNA were found at the 42-year-old's home in Orwell, Wigan, during a police raid. Jurors were also told she had been gifted a £12,000 Mercedes C class car by the criminal, which was paid for by 34 kilos of amphetamines. Following Saunderson's release, the organised crime boss was using an encrypted communication system called Encrochat to speak to his criminal associates, where he used the name Jesse Pinkman - a meth dealer in US crime drama Breaking Bad. Jurors heard how Saunderson would also go by the name James Gandolfini, an actor who played Tony Soprano in a hit mafia TV series, in his correspondence with other criminals. Law enforcement agencies gained access to Encrochat and were able to see the messages which included references to 'Kerri' and to obtaining a Mercedes for his girlfriend. On 6 April 2020 Saunderson was sent a message saying 'car her (sic) for ya bird 12 quid or work'. '12 quid' in this criminal context means £12,000 and 'work' means drugs. Saunderson was then sent a picture of a black Mercedes coupe. On 11 April Saunderson was joking with associates on Encrochat about driving around with 'Peggy' in her new car. In late 2020, Pegg was arrested and the Mercedes was parked outside her house. She had a 'burner' mobile telephone used just to communicate with Saunderson and his DNA was found on footwear and a toothbrush at her home. Saunderson was previously one of Merseyside's most wanted men after importing £19 million of cocaine and corned beef from Argentina. A probe found disgraced prison guard, Pegg, was living 'beyond her means', purchasing lavish jewellery and clothing, such as Jimmy Choo shoes and Chanel necklaces. She also had breast enhancement operation while serving at HMP Liverpool. Investigations showed the divorcee was in serious debt, even though she was paid £3,000 a month, and had a three separate of County Court Judgements (CCJ) against her for money owed to a parking company and credit card companies. This resulted in a separate charge of misconduct, due to officials being vulnerable to corruption if they are embroiled in debt. The court was also told all four of Pegg's credit cards were at their limit, with only 6p left in her savings account. Prosecutor Barbara-Louise Webster said Pegg had a taste for expensive clothes and 'lived beyond her means' which made her 'vulnerable and open to exploitation.' Ms Webster had told the jury: 'She became emotionally and personally involved with Saunderson and accepted the expensive car which was paid by him with the proceeds of criminal activity - trading in drugs.' Mr Andrew Alty, defending, had told the jury that Pegg had been 'naive, gullible and possibly stupid' but not corrupt. It was also heard how the ex-prison governor would spend a considerable amount of time in her office with the prisoner, with Saunderson later applying to be freed on a temporary licence in October 2018. Even members of Saunderson's gang complained he spent too much time with Pegg. The prison governor claimed this was due to his participation in a programme called BADD - Beating Alcohol and Drug Dependency - for prisoners in multiple jails. Pegg had never disclosed any relationship with Saunderson, nor the county court judgements, to her employer. The rules of her employment required her to disclose both. She has since been dismissed from her role. Since his release, Saunderson was convicted of drugs and firearms offences and is back in prison serving a 35-year sentence. The prison governor formerly worked in the Probation Service, but made the move to prison work after she split from her husband of four years while his construction firm failed. Judge Graham Knowles KC sentencing told Peggh: 'You betrayed the public trust in you and you betrayed the Prison Service.' 'It was shocking and unconscionable that you should have had that relationship. 'You knew how you should and should not act. You had training and support. You were warned and you were challenged. The boundaries were clear and explicit and you knew you were crossing them.' Tarryn McCaffrey from the Crown Prosecution Service said: 'Pegg's actions in becoming involved with a prisoner who had committed serious drug offences portrayed a total lack of integrity or judgement. 'She displayed a shocking lack of professionalism in her role, overriding rules around Saunderson's temporary release and ignoring her obligations to declare personal debts. 'The evidence presented at court by the CPS, including messages and DNA evidence, proved beyond doubt the close relationship between the two. 'The seriousness of today's sentence reflects how damaging these actions were to the confidence of the public, who are entitled to be able to trust those who work in prisons. 'The CPS will not hesitate to work with partners such as the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit to prosecute those who commit misconduct in public office.' He said that Pegg's virtues were that she is 'compassionate, selfless, dedicated, genuine, hard working and supportive'. He said she had the support of her family and her mother was in court to see her daughter sentenced. Mr Alty said:' These are not just adjectives. They are positive virtues.'
The Independent
17-05-2025
- The Independent
Kerri Pegg: Moment prison governor in relationship with ‘Jesse Pinkman' drug gang boss arrested
Police bodycam footage shows the moment a prison governor who formed a relationship with a Liverpool drug gang boss was arrested at home. Kerri Pegg, 42, from Cinnamon Brow, Warrington, was in a relationship with Anthony Saunderson, known to criminal associates as " Jesse Pinkman" after the drug dealer in Breaking Bad, who is now serving 35 years behind bars. North Wales Police detectives said encrypted messages between Saunderson and other OCG members mentioned 'Kerri' and 'Peggy'. Investigators later confirmed that Saunderson was in a relationship with Pegg. Pegg was jailed for nine years on Friday (16 May) after being found guilty of two counts of misconduct in a public office and handling criminal product.
Telegraph
16-05-2025
- Telegraph
Prison governor jailed for nine years over affair with drug lord
A prison governor has been jailed for nine years over an affair with a drug gang boss. Kerri Pegg, 42, swapped her Honda Jazz for a £12,000 Mercedes C-Class car, paid for by 34kg of amphetamines by Anthony Saunderson, a major organised crime figure who is now serving 35 years behind bars. Saunderson was known to criminal associates as 'Jesse Pinkman', the drug dealer in the show Breaking Bad, or 'James Gandolfini', the actor who played mafia boss Tony Soprano in the eponymous TV series. Members of his gang complained their boss was spending too much time with Pegg, neglecting his wife and 'work', a court heard. Pegg, described in court as 'petite, blonde and bubbly', signed off on a temporary release for Saunderson, though she did not have the authority to do so. During her trial at Preston Crown Court, it emerged Saunderson had developed and delivered a programme titled Beating Alcohol and Drug Dependency (BADD) for inmates at several jails while at the time being a major drug dealer, running an amphetamines factory. Pegg claimed her contact with Saunderson was because of his involvement in the BADD programme. Pegg was convicted of two counts of misconduct in a public office and one count of possession of criminal property, following a three-week trial last month. Cocaine hidden in corned beef Phil Copple, chief executive of HM Prison and Probation Service, said: 'The criminal misconduct in this case lets down the public we serve, as well as the vast majority of honest and hard-working prison staff. But it also demonstrates our determination to take robust action against those who fail to achieve proper professional standards.' The court heard Pegg joined the Prison Service in 2012 as a graduate entrant, working at prisons including Risley, Liverpool and Styal, and by April 2018 she was a governor at HMP Kirkham, where Saunderson was reaching the end of a 10-year sentence for drugs offences. He had been one of Merseyside's most wanted fugitives for his part in importing £19 million of cocaine in shipments of corned beef from Argentina. There were concerns about Pegg being inappropriately close to Saunderson, with the two often in her office with the door closed. She told jurors there were 'cultural issues' at the jail, and clashed with bosses over her 'progressive' and 'hands-on' open-door policy with prisoners. Designer clothes, handbags and jewellery Saunderson was released from Kirkham in May 2019 and within two months, while still on licence, was involved in another massive drug conspiracy. Saunderson and his gang were producing and supplying drugs on an industrial scale from a lab on the border between England and Wales and a storage unit in Aintree, Merseyside. He was jailed for 35 years at Liverpool Crown Court in August 2022 after law enforcement agencies cracked the EncroChat system – a phone network used by serious organised criminals. It revealed Saunderson's drug dealing – and his relationship with Pegg. When police raided her Wigan apartment in November 2020, the Mercedes paid for by Saunderson in drugs was parked outside. They discovered designer clothes, handbags and jewellery, and found Pegg living beyond her means. Detectives discovered that despite her £3,000 a month income, Pegg was deep in undeclared debt, which amounted to misconduct as debts make officials vulnerable to corruption. Her four credit cards were maxed out and she had 6p in her savings account. Andrew Alty, defending, in his closing speech to the jury, claimed Pegg had been 'green and stupid', a naive and gullible person who was manipulated by Saunderson. Pegg tearfully told jurors she had been 'incredibly stupid' but did not think she had done anything wrong. Barbara-Louise Webster, prosecuting, said Pegg had a promising future, but added: 'Anthony Saunderson was her downfall.' After her arrest and resignation from the Prison Service, Pegg became the operations manager for The Brick, a poverty and homelessness charity. The charity was aware of her being under investigation, but she kept her job with 'substantial restrictions'. Tarryn McCaffrey, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'Pegg's actions in becoming involved with a prisoner who had committed serious drug offences portrayed a total lack of integrity or judgment. 'She displayed a shocking lack of professionalism in her role, overriding rules around Saunderson's temporary release and ignoring her obligations to declare personal debts.'
Sky News
16-05-2025
- Sky News
Prison governor jailed over relationship with drug boss known as Jesse Pinkman
Why you can trust Sky News A former prison governor seen as a rising star in the service has been jailed for nine years for having a relationship with an inmate who was the boss of a Liverpool drugs gang, police have said. Kerri Pegg, 42, was the governor of HMP Kirkham in Lancashire when she met Anthony Saunderson - also known as Jesse Pinkman, named after the drug dealer in the Breaking Bad TV drama - who is now serving 35 years behind bars. Pegg, who had risen from graduate entrant to governor in six years, granted Saunderson a temporary release, even though she was not authorised to do so, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) said. Concerns about their relationship began soon after she started work at the jail, with the two often being in her office with the door closed, Preston Crown Court heard. She had swapped her Honda Jazz for a £12,000 Mercedes, which Saunderson had bought with 34kg (75lbs) of amphetamines, and which was outside her flat in Orrell, Wigan, when police raided it in November 2020. Designer clothes, handbags and jewellery, were found by detectives, along with size 10 Hugo Boss slip-ons and a toothbrush with Saunderson's DNA. Investigators discovered she had been living way beyond her £3,000 a month income, buying Jimmy Choo shoes and Chanel necklaces despite being deep in debt. Pegg tearfully told jurors she had been "incredibly stupid" but did not think she had done anything wrong. Barbara-Louise Webster, prosecuting, said Pegg had a promising future, but Saunderson "was her downfall". The pair met through an inmate programme called BADD (Beating Alcohol and Drug Dependency), which Saunderson developed and delivered at several jails, even while he was himself running an amphetamines factory. Pegg, who was convicted of misconduct in a public office and possessing criminal property at trial last month, claimed her contact with Saunderson was down to the programme. The court heard Pegg, originally from Bramhall, Stockport, was a governor at HMP Kirkham by 2018, as Saunderson was reaching the end of a 10-year sentence for drug offences. He had been one of Merseyside's most wanted fugitives for his part in importing £19m worth of cocaine in shipments of corned beef from Argentina. Less than two months after being released from Kirkham in May 2019, he was involved in another massive drug conspiracy. Saunderson was jailed for 35 years at Liverpool Crown Court in August 2022 after investigators cracked the Encrochat system - the phone network used by serious organised criminals. It revealed both his drug dealing and his relationship with Pegg. Phil Copple, chief executive of HM Prison and Probation Service, said: "The criminal misconduct in this case lets down the public we serve as well as the vast majority of honest and hardworking prison staff." Detective Inspector Brian Morley, from the NWROCU's Prison Intelligence Unit, said Pegg was guilty of "serious misconduct", which undermines public trust in prison staff.
