UPDATE: A former prison officer has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison after engaging in sexual activities with inmates at HMP Coldingley. Isabelle Dale, 23, was discovered having intimate relations with inmates, including Shahid Sharif, 33, and Connor Money, 28, with shocking details emerging about her actions.
The Southwark Crown Court heard that Dale was caught on 19 July 2022 having sex with Sharif in the prison’s prayer room while other inmates acted as lookouts. Prosecutor Kieran Brand revealed that the pair spent approximately four minutes in the room, which is not monitored by CCTV. This brazen act was a clear violation of prison regulations and public trust.
Dale was also found guilty of smuggling the synthetic drug Spice into the facility. Officers discovered equipment in her car used for drug smuggling, including carbon paper designed to evade prison x-ray detection. Her arrest on November 1, 2022, followed an investigation that uncovered a web of inappropriate relationships with multiple inmates.
The court revealed that Dale had formed a particularly alarming bond with Sharif, who was incarcerated for robbery. He had allegedly sent her a text message declaring, “It was good sharing dat love today, ur p**** [is] amazing.” Letters found in Sharif’s cell contained intimate details of their relationship, along with provocative images of Dale, some tainted with Spice.
In a disturbing twist, Dale had tattooed Sharif’s nickname, “Sneaks,” on her neck and kept a framed picture of them above her bed. The emotional attachment was highlighted in her own words, as she wrote about wearing a £3,000 promise ring to symbolize her loyalty to him and even expressed her intentions to have his name permanently inked on her.
During the court proceedings, Judge Chris Hehir emphasized the severity of Dale’s actions, labeling them as “very grave offences.” Dale claimed that she struggled to fit in with her colleagues, who ridiculed her tattoos, leading her to seek validation from inmates instead.
Dale’s illicit activities didn’t stop with Sharif; she was also linked to Money, who is serving a nine-year sentence after a fatal car crash involving police. Text messages revealed Dale’s ongoing communications with at least two other inmates, further underscoring her breach of duty.
The implications of this scandal extend beyond Dale’s personal life; it raises critical questions about security and oversight within the prison system. The findings from this case are likely to prompt a review of protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the story unfolds, the prison community and the public are left to grapple with the consequences of Dale’s actions. This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within correctional facilities and the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in maintaining order and safety.
For now, Dale begins her sentence, with the community watching closely for any further developments in this troubling case.
