Young Officer's Downfall in Prison Sex and Drugs Scandal
Isabelle Dale, a 23-year-old former prison officer, has been convicted of serious misconduct after engaging in sexual relationships with two inmates and conspiring to smuggle drugs into HMP Coldingley in Surrey. The court heard how the young officer's inappropriate relationships with convicted criminals led to her dramatic downfall from public service.
From Retail to Prison: A Troubled Transition
Dale was just 19 when she joined the prison service in 2021, fresh from college in Portsmouth where she had studied Law A-level and Psychology BTEC. Her previous work experience consisted of roles as a Marks and Spencer sales assistant and working in a care home laundry. She had joined the prison service with ambitions of eventually becoming a police officer.
Despite receiving counter-corruption training that explicitly forbade relationships with prisoners, within months of starting at the all-male prison housing 420 inmates, Dale became involved with not one but two convicted criminals. The prosecution revealed there may have been additional relationships with other prisoners.
The Inappropriate Relationships
One of the inmates was Connor Money, 28, jailed in 2020 for causing death by dangerous driving after speeding from police at 140mph, crashing his car, and abandoning his dying passenger. The other was Shahid Sharif, 34, serving a 12-year sentence for armed robbery of a jewellers during which he threatened passers-by with ammonia.
The court saw CCTV evidence showing Dale emerging from a multi-faith prayer room and adjusting her clothing after spending four minutes alone inside with Sharif. Subsequent messages recovered from Sharif's phone included one reading: "It was good sharing dat love today ur p*****s ammaazzzeeeingggggg".
Dale wrote love letters to Sharif, praising his rapping skills and declaring she would "take a bullet for him". When Sharif was transferred to HMP Swaleside in Kent, she visited him, kissed him in the visitor's room, and transferred money to his prison account.
Drug Smuggling Conspiracy Uncovered
Authorities became suspicious after finding messages on a phone in Sharif's cell, revealing not only the illicit relationship but also a plot to smuggle the synthetic drug spice into prison. The plan involved impregnating envelopes with liquid narcotic that mimics cannabis effects, then having Dale post them to the jail once dried.
Dale operated Sharif's drug-dealing Snapchat account and helped source the synthetic cannabinoid from Lilea Sallis, an associate of Sharif's based in Brighton. When arrested at Swaleside on November 1, 2022, police found carbon paper in her car used to hide contraband from prison x-ray machines.
Trial and Conviction
Following an eight-day trial at Southwark Crown Court, Dale was convicted of two counts of misconduct in public office and conspiring to smuggle a prohibited article into prison. She burst into tears as the verdicts were delivered.
Lilea Sallis was also found guilty of the drugs plot, while Sharif had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to bring spice into prison. Judge Chris Hehir granted both women unconditional bail ahead of sentencing in January but warned them to expect "substantial custodial sentences" for their "very grave offences".
Broader Concerns About Prison Staffing
Dale's case highlights growing concerns about inexperienced female prison staff becoming involved with inmates. She joins a list that includes Linda de Sousa Abreu, the OnlyFans model jailed in January after being filmed having sex with an inmate at HMP Wandsworth.
Former colleagues expressed concerns about Dale's maturity and professionalism. One observed: "She just wasn't mature or serious enough. I did wonder how she managed to get through training." Another noted that such relationships endanger other female staff by emboldening inmates to target them.
The case raises serious questions about vetting procedures and support for young staff working in high-pressure prison environments, where experienced criminals often target vulnerable officers for manipulation and exploitation.
