Killer Vickrum Digwa is reportedly being kept in segregation after refusing to move to a prison wing where he fears for his life following the fatal attack on child murderer Ian Huntley.
The 23-year-old is said to be spending up to 23 hours a day locked alone in his cell at HMP Frankland in County Durham, only leaving under heavy escort from four prison officers for a short daily exercise period.
Digwa, who stabbed 18-year-old Henry Nowak to death in Southampton before falsely claiming the teenager had been the victim of a racist attack, has also lost standard prison privileges, including access to a television.
According to reports, Digwa refused a transfer to A-wing after discovering it was the same wing where Huntley was killed earlier this year.
A source said he was left terrified by the prospect of moving there.
“He was told he’d be going to A-wing and immediately refused after realising that’s where Huntley was attacked,” the source said.
“He believes he wouldn’t be safe there, and there’s already talk about him inside the prison.
“They can’t force him onto the wing, so he could remain in segregation for a long time.”
The source also described life in the segregation unit as bleak and mentally draining.
“Inmates get a tiny wind-up radio, books, and little else,” they said.
“They’re allowed out for just an hour, alongside three other prisoners, but even then the yard is divided into sections so nobody can mix.
“All meals are eaten alone in the cell, and the conditions are grim.
“Many prisoners end up pacing constantly or shouting from the window. It’s the kind of regime that can break someone mentally.”
Digwa was jailed for life in May and ordered to serve a minimum of 21 years after being convicted of murdering Henry Nowak in December 2025. His sentence is now under appeal, with claims it was too lenient.
He was previously held at HMP Winchester before being transferred to Frankland, a prison nicknamed “Monster Mansion” because of the number of notorious and dangerous inmates held there.
Frankland has housed some of Britain’s most infamous offenders, including Ian Huntley, who was killed there earlier this year.
The jail has also seen several violent incidents in recent years, including an attack on prison staff by Manchester Arena terrorist Hashem Abedi and violence involving quadruple killer Damien Bendall.
A Prison Service spokesperson said they do not comment on individual inmates.
