Belle is sentenced to three years of imprisonment once her manslaughter is discovered. She is released months later, with her break being due to the actress taking examinations. Taylor-Draper stated that Belle is initially "alright" following her release, and that her warm welcome from the Dingles makes her feel like "the normal old-school Belle" who is "happy to be home". She notes that viewers will initially "think that everything is great and there's nothing wrong", but revealed that Belle is "damaged". She explains that "cracks start to show in this false appearance of Belle having a lovely life", and that "there are little things that build up as time goes on". Belle is "feeling fine" about returning to school, but when Gabby Thomas (Annelise Manojlovic) and her friends circle Belle and bully her, it "really messes with head". She visits Gemma's shrine, where she meets Lachlan, who asks if she knew Gemma prior to her death. Taylor-Draper explains that "she finds it really hard to deal with him, because she feels that he's very full-on with death". Due to wanting to change her appearance following prison, Belle dyes her hair a dark brown. Lisa is supportive of the change, but is "very anxious" about Belle's mental state, which Taylor-Draper responded t by saying: "I don't think Belle is registering anyone's worry at this point. Even if she does, she's just saying that everything is fine."