A former prison officer has been sentenced to prison after forming inappropriate romantic relationships with two inmates and becoming involved in a plan to smuggle drugs into a correctional facility. Isabelle Dale, 23, abused her position while working at HMP Coldingley in Surrey by engaging in secret relationships with prisoners Shahid Sharif and Connor Money. A court heard that Dale pledged her “undying love” to both men during her time as an officer.

During her trial, it was revealed that Dale had sexual contact with Sharif, a convicted robber, in a secluded chapel area within the prison. The relationship escalated quickly, with the pair becoming engaged within months of meeting.

Dale later conspired with Sharif and his associate, Lilea Sallis, to smuggle drug-soaked envelopes containing spice — a synthetic cannabinoid — into HMP Swaleside in Kent. Sentencing the trio at Southwark Crown Court, Judge Christopher Hehir described Dale as “manipulative, dishonest and calculating”.

While acknowledging that Dale had personal vulnerabilities, the judge said she attempted to use them to excuse her criminal behaviour. He went on to suggest that she may have joined the prison service with the intention of becoming involved in unlawful activities with inmates, describing her as “attention-seeking”.

Dale began her role at HMP Coldingley in September 2021, her first posting within the prison service. By January the following year, she had already established contact with Sharif, and by May they were engaged, the court was told.

Her defence lawyer, Syam Soni, argued that Dale’s actions were influenced by serious mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and emotionally unstable personality disorder. He said she was particularly vulnerable and unprepared for the realities of working in a prison environment.

At the time of the relationship, Sharif was serving a sentence of nearly 13 years for a violent armed robbery at a jewellery store on the south coast. Other staff members became suspicious of Dale’s behaviour, and after the chapel incident Sharif was transferred to HMP Swaleside. Dale subsequently signed off work sick on reduced pay.

Despite no longer working at the prison, Dale visited Sharif on five occasions between September and October 2022, sometimes accompanied by his relatives. She secured access by concealing her former role as a prison officer, the judge said.

The court also heard that Dale attempted to persuade Sharif’s sister to smuggle a USB device into the prison, though she refused. Dale later resigned from the prison service and was found to have Sharif’s street name tattooed on her neck before being arrested during a sixth visit.

In addition to her relationship with Sharif, Dale also shared sensitive prison information with inmate Connor Money, with whom she was also romantically involved.

Plans to smuggle spice into Swaleside were ultimately disrupted by a postal strike. Dale had been due to travel to Brighton to collect the drug-laced envelopes from Sallis, but the plan collapsed after a dispute between Sallis and Sharif over pricing and online posts.

Messages shown to the court suggested Sharif believed he could earn up to £3,000 a week selling the drug inside prison, though the judge noted this figure may have been exaggerated.

Dale was sentenced to three and a half years in prison after being convicted of two counts of misconduct in public office and one count of conspiracy to convey prohibited items into a prison. Sharif and Sallis were also jailed for their roles in the plot, receiving sentences of 27 months and two and a half years respectively.

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