A prison officer has been sentenced to three and a half years in jail for engaging in sexual activities with an inmate inside a prison prayer room, while accomplices stood watch. Isabelle Dale, 23, admitted to finding comfort in the prisoners’ affection after her inappropriate relationships with inmates Shahid Sharif, 33, and Connor Money, 28, came to light in court.
Following a search of Dale’s vehicle, authorities discovered contraband intended for smuggling into the prison, including synthetic cannabis known as ‘Spice’ and carbon paper used to conceal the substance from x-ray scans. Dale was convicted in November on two counts of misconduct in a public office and one count of conspiracy to convey a prohibited item, categorized as ‘List A,’ into the correctional facility.
During a trial at Southwark Crown Court, it was revealed that Dale and Sharif entered a multi-faith room at HMP Coldingley in Surrey on July 19, 2022, with two inmates acting as lookouts. The absence of CCTV coverage in the room led prosecutors to conclude that the pair engaged in illicit sexual behavior.
Following the incident, Sharif sent Dale a text expressing satisfaction with their encounter, praising her. Subsequent searches of Sharif’s cell uncovered love letters and suggestive photos of Dale, some laced with Spice. Dale was found to have Sharif’s nickname tattooed on her neck and a framed picture of them together above her bed.
In a message to Sharif, Dale professed her commitment to him, mentioning wearing a promise ring and having his name tattooed on her as sources of pride. Judge Chris Hehir admonished Dale for her serious offenses and warned her to prepare for imprisonment.
Dale, who had struggled to fit in with her colleagues due to her extensive tattoos, claimed she bought an expensive promise ring at Sharif’s behest to demonstrate loyalty. She admitted to engaging in intimate phone conversations with Sharif but denied any physical relationship, citing ignorance about the illegality of possessing a mobile phone in prison.
Dale was apprehended on November 1, 2022, while visiting Sharif at Swaleside Prison, where he had been relocated post-exposure of their relationship. Text messages uncovered by the police also implicated Dale in relationships with Money and other inmates. Dale was convicted on multiple charges related to her misconduct within the prison environment.
