A former prison officer has been jailed after forming inappropriate relationships with inmates and conspiring to smuggle drugs into prison.
Isabelle Dale, 23, of Victoria Road South, Portsmouth, was sentenced to three years and six months at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, February 20.
She was convicted of two counts of misconduct in a public office and one count of conspiracy to convey a List A article into prison.
During her time as a prison officer at HMP Coldingley, Dale engaged in inappropriate sexual relationships with two male inmates, one of whom was Shahid Sharif, 34, who was serving a sentence for robbery.
Within eight months of joining the prison service, Dale and Sharif became engaged.
After Sharif was transferred to HMP Swaleside, Dale continued to visit him and sent him money through the prison system.
Between September 2021 and December 2022, Dale, Sharif, and 28-year-old Lilea Sallis conspired to smuggle synthetic cannabinoids, known as Spice, into HMP Swaleside.
Sharif was sentenced to two years and three months in prison, while Sallis was sentenced to two years and six months.
Dale resigned from the prison service following her arrest in November 2022.
Detective Chief Inspector Ryan James, head of SEROCU’s Prison Intelligence Team, said: "Prison officers hold positions of significant trust, and the vast majority carry out their duties with professionalism and integrity.
"Dale’s actions were a serious breach of that trust.
"By forming inappropriate relationships with prisoners and involving herself in the supply of drugs, she compromised the safety and security of both staff and prisoners.
"The introduction of substances, such as Spice, into prisons fuels violence, exploitation and instability.
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"Those who assist in bringing these drugs inside, whether staff or members of the public, play a direct role in that harm.
"Working in partnership with HMPPS Counter Corruption Unit, we will continue to identify and prosecute anyone who abuses their position or seeks to undermine the safe running of our prisons.
"This case demonstrates that corruption will be uncovered and offenders will be pursued and held to account."
