A young prison officer has been found guilty of misconduct after engaging in sexual relationships with two inmates and becoming involved in a plot to smuggle drugs into a Surrey jail.
A Downward Spiral at HMP Coldingley
Isabelle Dale was just 19 years old when she began her career as a prison officer at HMP Coldingley in September 2021. Within months, the inexperienced guard was in over her head, embarking on illicit relationships that would ultimately lead to her conviction at Southwark Crown Court.
Dale, now 23, was found guilty yesterday of two counts of misconduct in a public office and one count of conspiracy to convey a 'List A' prohibited article into a prison. The eight-day trial heard how the former officer burst into tears as the verdicts were delivered.
Relationships Behind Bars
The court was told that Dale's first inappropriate relationship was with inmate Shahid Sharif, a 34-year-old serving a 12-year sentence for a violent armed robbery on a jewellers. The pair's relationship escalated to the point where Dale had his nickname, 'Sneaks', tattooed on the back of her own neck and referred to herself as 'Miss Sneaky'.
Their illicit encounters were captured on prison CCTV in July 2022, which showed Dale entering a prayer room with Sharif while two other inmates acted as lookouts. She emerged four minutes later, appearing to readjust her clothing. Sharif later sent her a message stating, "It was good sharing dat love today ur p****s ammaazzzeeeingggggg."
Even after Sharif was transferred to HMP Swaleside in Kent, the relationship continued. Dale visited him, emailed flirtatious images, transferred money into his prison account, and even purchased her own £3,000 engagement ring.
Love Letters and a Smuggling Conspiracy
During a search of Sharif's cell on November 1, 2022, prison authorities discovered a trove of love letters and provocative photographs from Dale. In her correspondence, addressed to 'Sneaky', she wrote passionately about their future.
"I literally worship the ground you walk on," she declared in one letter. "I will be stood at those gates when you walk out and - as you told me - stepping into a Lamborghini."
The investigation also uncovered a conspiracy to smuggle the synthetic drug spice into the prison. The plan involved impregnating envelopes with the liquid narcotic, which Dale would then post to the jail once they had dried out.
Despite her intense commitment to Sharif, phone evidence revealed Dale was simultaneously involved with a second inmate, Connor Money. Money was serving a nine-year sentence for killing his best friend in a car crash and leading police on a 147mph chase.
Messages showed sexual banter between them, with Money asking when he would "get to feel them sexy lips around my hard d***" and Dale agreeing to meet him in the laundry room for a cuddle.
Denial and Conviction
Giving evidence, Dale denied having sexual relationships with either man. She claimed Money had once kissed her but she backed away, and she insisted she was unaware it was illegal for inmates to possess mobile phones.
The jury did not find her testimony credible, convicting her on all counts. The case has shed a stark light on the vulnerabilities within the prison system and the severe consequences when those tasked with security breach their fundamental duties.
