On 20/1, Isabelle Dale received a sentence of three and a half years for two counts of misconduct in public office and conspiracy to convey prohibited articles into a prison.

Authorities caught Isabelle having sex with Shahid Sharif, 33, in the prayer room of HMP Coldingley prison in Surrey. After four minutes, the female officer emerged with the convicted robber, hastily adjusting her belt. Further evidence of their relationship included Isabelle having Shahid's nickname tattooed on the back of her neck and displaying photos of them together above her bed.

Simultaneously, Isabelle was involved in a sexual relationship with another inmate, Connor Money, 28, while continuing her affair with Shahid. After the relationships came to light, authorities transferred Shahid to HMP Swaleside prison in Kent. Despite the transfer, their affair persisted, with Isabelle purchasing a 3,000 British pounds engagement ring for herself and writing love letters to Shahid, detailing dreams of a future together after his release. Some of these letters contained synthetic cannabis.

Isabelle also managed Shahid's Snapchat drug dealing account, securing drug supplies through an accomplice, Lilea Sallis, 27. According to prison records, Isabelle concealed her job title to be approved for the prison visitor list. She visited Shahid five times between 9/2022 and 10/2022, sometimes accompanied by family members. Isabelle resigned as a prison officer before her arrest on 1/11/2022 during what would have been her sixth visit.

Isabelle Dale arrives at Southwark Crown Court. Photo: PA.

In court, Isabelle claimed she felt "lucky" to have Shahid in her life but denied having sex with him in prison or smuggling drugs. She joined the prison service in 9/2021 and told the court she struggled to integrate with colleagues, who mocked her for her extensive tattoos. She stated she sought solace in romantic relationships with inmates.

"I bought the ring at Shahid's instruction to prove my loyalty. He threatened to stab me, saying he hated me and wanted me dead", she explained.

Judge Christopher Hehir at Southwark Crown Court criticized Isabelle for her illicit relationships with two inmates. He stated she was fully aware of her misconduct and the associated risks and dangers, yet deliberately committed the offenses. The judge emphasized that intimate relationships between inmates and prison officers undermine authority and order within the prison. He added that if some inmates receive preferential treatment due to romantic involvement with officers, it creates an unfair environment for other prisoners.

The judge described Isabelle as "dishonest", noting she used her vulnerabilities as a shield to justify her misconduct. He expressed suspicion that Isabelle "joined the prison service so she could engage in illegal activities with inmates" due to her "attention-seeking" nature.

In the same trial, Shahid pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convey drugs into prison and received an additional 27 months in jail. He was already serving a 12-year, 10-month sentence for violently robbing a jewelry store. Accomplice Lilea was convicted of conspiracy to convey prohibited articles into prison and received a sentence of two and a half years.