Lucy Letby Will Face a Lifetime of Danger Behind Bars, Warns Retired Prison Governor

Lucy Letby, convicted as Britain’s most prolific child killer, is expected to live under constant threat in prison for the rest of her life, according to a retired prison warden. The former NHS nurse, who was sentenced in August 2023 for the murders of seven babies and the attempted murder of six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016, faces a grim future behind bars.

Vanessa Frake, a former prison governor with nearly three decades of experience managing high-profile inmates such as child killer Beverley Allitt, Moors murderer Myra Hindley, and serial killer Rose West, believes Letby will be a “target” in prison until the day she dies. Frake, author of The Governor, shared her insights into Letby’s likely fate as a Category A prisoner with The Mirror.

“I imagine she will be looking over her shoulder for the rest of her time,” Frake said. She explained that Letby will likely be the subject of violent attempts on her life by other inmates, especially those who are mothers or carers. “Women who have had children, who are carers and nurturers, will see the likes of Letby as lower than low,” she added.

Frake detailed the kinds of dangers Letby might face, describing the inventive and brutal methods prisoners use to create weapons. “Prisoners are very good at making weapons out of just about anything,” she noted. “I’ve seen prisoners slashed with two razor blades melted into a toothbrush, stabbings with shanks made from plastic cutlery, and pool balls and batteries in socks.”

Letby is currently believed to be held at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, after previously spending time in HMP Low Newton in Durham. As she ages, she may be transferred to a facility that specializes in older prisoners, particularly as she will not be required to work past the age of 66.

With 15 whole-life orders against her, Letby is destined to die in prison, and Frake noted that her death will not be marked by any significant recognition from the prison service. “If Letby’s parents are still alive when she dies, they will have a say in her funeral,” Frake explained. “But it wouldn’t be a big hoo-ha because the prison service wouldn’t want that.” The decision on her final arrangements will rest with her next of kin, likely her father John, 73, and mother Susan, 63.

Until her death, Letby will be forced to confront her crimes regularly. “As a life sentence prisoner, every six to 12 months, she will have a report written about her by a member of staff. They will ask her about her offending behavior and crimes,” Frake concluded.