A prison officer who was caught having sex with an inmate in a jail prayer room while his pals acted as lookouts has been jailed for three and a half years
Isabelle Dale, 23, said she sought solace in the affection of the prisoners after details of her inappropriate relationship with inmate Shahid Sharif, 33, a convicted robber, was laid bare in court.
She was also found to be in a sexual relationship with inmate Connor Money, 28, who was jailed for nine years in 2020 after he killed his best friend in a car crash during a police chase.
After a search of Dale’s car, officers found equipment to smuggle a synthetic cannabis, known as ‘Spice’ into jail, as well as a packet of carbon paper used to prevent the drug from being detected by prison x-ray machines.
Dale was found guilty in November of two counts of misconduct in a public office and one of conspiracy to convey a “List A” prohibited article into prison.
A trial at Southwark Crown Court heard she had entered the multi-faith room located off a wing at HMP Coldingley in Surrey with Sharif on July 19, 2022.
“They remained there for four minutes while two inmates appeared to act as lookouts,” Kieran Brand, prosecuting, said in court.
“They both emerged from the room together and walked back towards the wing, with Miss Dale appearing to readjust her belt area on the right-hand side of her hip,” he added.
“The multi-faith room is not covered by CCTV: the prosecution say it is clear they went in there for some form of sexual activity.”
After the encounter, Sharif send Dale a text which read: “It was good sharing dat love today, ur p**** [is] amazing.” Officers also conducted a search of Sharif’s cell, where they found a number of love letters and “provocative” photos of Dale. Some of the letters were laced with Spice.
The prison officer had Sharif’s nickname – ‘Sneaks’ – tattooed on the back of her neck, as well as a framed picture of the pair together over her bed.
Police found evidence of Dale’s relationship with Connor Money.
In one of her messages to him, Dale said: “Wearing your promise ring, having you tattooed on me for life are all things I take ownership in – there is nothing I feel more proud of than being known as your girl.”
Judge Chris Hehir told Dale during a previous hearing that she had committed “very grave offences” and should “prepare emotionally and physically to go to prison”.
Dale previously told the court that she struggled to fit in with her colleagues who mocked her extensive tattoos. She purchased a £3,000 promise ring after Sharif “instructed her” to in order “to prove my loyalty to him,” she added.
She also said the pair frequently had “phone sex”, claiming she did not know it was illegal to have a mobile phone in jail, but denied a physical relationship.
Dale was arrested on Nov 1, 2022, while visiting Sharif at Swaleside, where he was moved after their relationship was exposed.
Police also found a series of text messages evidencing Dale’s relationship with Money, as well as messages from Dale to at least two other inmates.
Dale was found guilty of two counts of misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to convey a ‘List A’ prohibited article into prison.
Source: Mirror
