A former prison governor has outlined two distinct ways inmates could physically harm convicted child killer Jamie Varley at the notorious HMP Wakefield, known as Monster Mansion. Vanessa Frake-Harris MBE, who served as head of security and operations at HMP Wormwood Scrubs, said Varley will face 'non-stop psychological warfare' behind bars.
Psychological Warfare and Death Threats
Varley, a former teacher, was handed a whole-life order after being found guilty of sexually abusing and murdering his adopted 13-month-old son, Preston Davey. He is now held at HMP Wakefield, a Category A high-security prison in West Yorkshire that has housed infamous inmates including Harold Shipman, Charles Bronson, and paedophile Ian Watkins.
Vanessa told The Mail: 'There will immediately be loud, systemic chanting across the wings, constant death threats, and being loudly labelled a 'nonce' or 'beast' every time he is moved outside his cell.' She acknowledged that while the prison holds many sex offenders and child abusers, it remains a 'pressure cooker of extreme violence.'
Two Common Forms of Physical Harm
Vanessa, who encountered notorious criminals like Rose West, Colin Ireland, and Myra Hindley during her 27-year career, explained that Varley could face lethal harm if he comes into contact with the main wings. She described two 'common' tactics used by inmates: 'jugging'—throwing boiling water mixed with sugar to cause burns—and makeshift shanks made from everyday items like razor blades melted into toothbrushes.
She theorised that prison authorities may have placed Varley in segregation or on a Vulnerable Prisoner Unit to avert the 'immediate risk of death' associated with communal areas. 'Because Varley's sentence guarantees he will die behind bars, the threat to his life is a permanent, multi-decade reality,' she added.
Former Inmate's Perspective
Former HMP Frankland inmate Ricky Killeen also spoke about the torment Varley faces. He said Varley would likely be on an ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) process to support prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm. Speaking on his Behind Bars TV channel, Ricky said: 'So they have got to talk to him and mother the little wrongun and make sure he doesn't do anything to himself. But he is going to be living in misery for the rest of his life. He will be feeling despair, anxiety, hopelessness.'
Ricky claimed Varley would have 'sleepless nights' and be 'watched round the clock,' receiving abuse from other inmates. 'So they will be tormenting and torturing him and giving him the utmost of grief. There's ways where they can irritate him, banging little things outside his door and getting under his skin. He is going to live out the rest of his life in a sick, sorry world where he belongs.'
