Varley's First Night in Prison
Jamie Varley, the convicted murderer of 13-month-old Preston Davey, spent his first night at HMP Wakefield weeping in his cell and refusing to eat or leave it, according to reports. The 37-year-old former teacher and safeguarding leader was sentenced to a whole-life term for the abuse and murder of the toddler.
Prison Nurse's Perspective on Safety Concerns
A nurse working at a Category A prison, speaking anonymously to protect her job, said she would be “terrified” if she were in Varley’s position, with fellow inmates potentially seeking revenge. She noted that staff are expected to treat every inmate professionally regardless of their crimes, but admitted that Varley’s situation is particularly dangerous.
“I think it’s a combination that he is afraid and probably with good reason as well,” the nurse said on the Break The Ice YouTube channel. “There are other prisoners who are serving whole life orders and they don’t have anything to lose. Do they care? Do they want respect? For whatever reasons, they want to harm him, they have nothing to lose at this point. So, if I was him, I would be absolutely terrified. I don’t think I would leave the cell. I don’t think I would eat either. I’d be a wreck.”
HMP Wakefield: 'Monster Mansion' Reputation
HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire, where Varley is held, is nicknamed “Monster Mansion” because it houses some of Britain’s most notorious sex offenders and killers. The prison has a history of attacks on inmates, including the fatal stabbings of child killer Kyle Bevan and child sex offender Ian Watkins while they were serving time.
Potential for Sympathy-Seeking Behavior
The nurse suggested that Varley’s refusal to eat may also be an attempt to garner sympathy and receive more attention from staff. She explained that if he is placed on an ACCT (Assessment Care, Custody, Teamwork) plan, officers and nurses would check on him every 15 minutes, providing a sense of normality and protection.
“I do think partly from experience that he wants people to feel sorry for him,” she said. “Maybe he wants the nurse checking in on him. If he knows there’s officers coming in every 15 minutes because he is on an ACCT it gives less time for other people to be after him.”
Medical Care and Professionalism
The nurse emphasised that Varley’s offences would not affect the care he receives from medical professionals. Every inmate is treated with the same respect and dignity, and any nurse who behaved unprofessionally or openly criticised a prisoner would be unlikely to work again. She also dismissed suggestions that staff would deliberately leave a cell door unlocked to allow “prison justice” to take its course, noting that any death in custody is subject to intense scrutiny, and nurses may later have to justify their care at a coroner’s court.
Likelihood of Sectioning and Future Eating
When asked whether Varley could be sectioned if he continued refusing food, the nurse said it was unlikely, as refusing to eat alone would not normally justify such action. She added: “If he’s talking like I’m talking to you now, as long as he understands the risks of not eating and understands the risks of being suicidal, we’re allowed to feel that way as people. He’s not stupid. He’s smart. He’s got a degree. He was a teacher. He was a safeguarding leader. He knows what he’s doing.”
Drawing on her experience with around 60 prisoners who had refused to eat, she believed Varley would eventually begin eating again.
Details of the Crime
Varley was sentenced to a whole-life term for murdering 13-month-old Preston Davey, who suffered 40 internal and external injuries. His partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, was jailed for 25 years for his role in the abuse. Reports have since suggested Varley is using the name Harry Robb while being held at HMP Wakefield.
