Prison Officer's Secret Life: Love, Lies, and Contraband

A prison officer has been implicated in a scheme involving illicit relationships and smuggling within HMP Coldingley. Dale, who began her employment in September 2021, reportedly formed relationships with prisoners, including Sharif, who was serving a lengthy sentence for a violent robbery. Their engagement was confirmed by May. Dale also allegedly passed sensitive information to Money, with whom she was involved intimately.

Evidence presented in court suggested Dale's intentions may have been criminal from the outset of her prison service career. An attempt to smuggle contraband, specifically envelopes dipped in spice, into Swaleside prison with Sharif and another individual, Sallis, was thwarted by a postal strike. Dale was also organized to travel to Brighton to collect these items.

Dale's defense argued that her mental health struggles, encompassing depression, anxiety, emotionally unstable personality disorder, and PTSD, made her vulnerable and ill-equipped for the prison environment. However, the judge noted that other prison staff had become aware of her activities, indicating a broader awareness of the situation within the institution.