‘I worked at Ian Huntley’s notorious prison – he walked around like he owned the place’
‘I worked at Ian Huntley’s notorious prison – he walked around like he owned the place’
A former staff member at HMP Frankland, the infamous prison where the Soham murderer Ian Huntley is incarcerated, has shared insights into his daily life behind bars. The facility, often dubbed ‘Monster Mansion,’ is considered one of the country’s most secure institutions, yet Huntley’s experience there has been anything but ordinary.
Last week, Huntley suffered a violent attack in a workshop, during which he was struck in the head with a metal pole. The injury left him in a critical condition, with medical reports indicating he is now ‘brain dead and unlikely to survive.’ This incident contrasts sharply with the prison’s reputation for high security.
Despite his status as a high-profile inmate, Huntley was classified as a ‘vulnerable prisoner’ (VP) since his life sentence began in 2003. This designation, typically reserved for individuals with significant public notoriety or those convicted of serious sexual or terror-related offenses, placed him in a segregated area. According to the ex-officer, this separation gave him an ‘air of arrogance’ and a false sense of superiority.
‘He used to walk around A-wing like he owned the place. He definitely had that confident, almost smug attitude.’
However, the officer noted a shift in Huntley’s behavior following a series of attacks. ‘Since he started getting attacked more and prison staff grew frustrated with him, he definitely quietened down. He spent most of his free time on his PlayStation 2.’
In 2010, Huntley was injured by a homemade weapon during a confrontation with Damien Fowkes, a robber. The attack resulted in a severe, gaping cut to his neck, requiring 21 stitches. He also wore sunglasses for some time after being splashed with cleaning fluid in his eye, an incident that left him temporarily disoriented.
The officer added: ‘There are thousands of Huntleys in that prison. No one is out to get him because of his crimes—they’re all the same. But when they’re bored and have nothing to lose, they’ll target him.’
Anthony Russell, a triple murderer and rapist serving a whole life sentence, has been named as a suspect in Huntley’s recent attack. The incident has reignited discussions about the safety of high-profile inmates within the prison system.
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