Prison Governor Jailed for Misconduct in a Public Office

Today, (Friday 16 May), at Preston Crown Court, a corrupt prison governor at HMP Kirkham, who formed a relationship with a prisoner, has been jailed.

The investigation began when North Wales Police uncovered Encrochat messages through Operation Venetic involving a Merseyside organised crime group. One of the six members identified was a man called Anthony Saunderson. At the time of the investigation he was a prisoner at HMP Kirkham.

North Wales Police detectives told the NWROCU that encrypted messages between Saunderson and other OCG members mentioned ‘Kerri’ and ‘Peggy’. Investigators later confirmed that Saunderson was in a relationship with Prison Governor Kerri Pegg.

In August 2020, a joint investigation was launched by the HMPPS National Counter Corruption Team and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit Prison Corruption Unit. The investigation uncovered that Pegg abused her power as governor to unlawfully authorise temporary release licenses for Saunderson while he was at HMP Kirkham, meaning he could walk free in the community when he was legally not entitled to be.

Saunderson frequently spoke about his relationship with Pegg, including overnight visits to her home.

On 3 April 2020, using the Encrochat handle ‘JESSIE-PINKMAN’, Saunderson messaged other OCG members saying ‘Be half six lad got to meet Kerri with her meals by kennet lad but will go there and grab you if you want’.

The following morning, 4 April at around 6.30am, ANPR cameras recorded Pegg driving her vehicle to the old HMP Kennet site in Maghull where she met Saunderson.

Just two days later, on 6 April, Encrochat messages revealed that Saunderson had agreed to buy a black Mercedes C class for 36 kilos of Amphetamine off another OCG. The deal went ahead on 8 April.

A message was received from another member saying ‘were u ya seedy man u and peggy out floating orrell in the new whip’, it had became apparent that Saunderson had gifted Pegg the Mercedes and even registered her as the new keeper of the vehicle.

On a picture message sent to other members of the OCG, Saunderson shows the official DVLA document stating that Kerri Pegg was now the new legal owner. The picture is clearly shown to have been taken in Pegg’s home address.

On 19 November 2020, detectives from the NWROCU arrested Pegg at her home address and seized her Mercedes C class and multiple devices, including iphones and a cheap Nokia phone which was switched on. A toothbrush and a pair of male flipflops were also sent for forensic examination, both came back positive with DNA from both Saunderson and Pegg.

On the Nokia mobile, police uncovered that Saunderson had contacted the phone 163 times and left 10 text messages. A £20 top up credit was put on the device on 1 November 2020. CCTV shows Saunderson at a BP garage purchasing the top up credit for the mobile phone.

During interview, Pegg stated that she had purchased the Mercedes from a car dealership in Manchester where she was paying £360 in cash a month. Pegg was released under investigation. 

Financial enquiries showed that Pegg made no cash withdrawals for £360 a month and was in fact subject to three County Court Judgement’s which she had failed to declare to His Majesty’s Police and Probation Service (HMPPS).

Detectives arrested Pegg for the second time on 11 February 2021. Officer’s seized her Mercedes C class once again as well as an iphone and a silver Dell laptop. They also seized a variety of designer products such as Gucci handbags and clothing from Michael Kors, Dolce Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Chanel, Emilio Pucci and Valentino.

Kerri Pegg, 42, from Cinnamon Brow, Warrington was jailed for nine years after being found guilty of two counts of misconduct in a public office and handling criminal product. 

Detective Inspector Brian Morley from the NWROCU’s Prison Intelligence Unit said:

“Kerri Pegg was a senior figure within the prison service, a public servant expected to behave to the highest standards, but this was serious misconduct on her part and greatly undermines the trust given to prison staff and order in a prison.

“This sentence reflects the successful joint partnership of HMPPS National Counter Corruption Unit, HMP Kirkham, the NWROCU Prison Corruption Unit, and the Crown Prosecution Service within this complex investigation. We will continue to work tirelessly with partner agencies and police forces across the region to root out such behaviour and ensure the integrity of our prisons.

“We want to reassure the honest, dedicated and hardworking prison staff that through partnership working with our prisons across the region, and HMPPS Counter Corruption Unit, we will continue to take action against people who choose to engage in corrupt activity. We encourage anyone who has information about corruption in our prisons to report it.”

Chief Executive Officer, HMPPS Phil Copple 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, but it also demonstrates our determination to take robust action against those who fail to achieve proper professional standards.

"The case is also a prime example of the strong relationship between the Police and our Counter Corruption Unit, and their tireless work to root out individuals who think the rules do not apply to them.”