Jamie Varley, a 37-year-old former teacher, has been sentenced to a rare whole life order for the murder, sexual assault, and cruelty of his 13-month-old adoptive son, Preston Davey. He is now believed to be incarcerated at HMP Wakefield, a high-security prison notorious for housing some of the UK's most dangerous inmates.
A Prison with a Dark History
HMP Wakefield, known colloquially as 'Monster Mansion', has stood on the edge of Wakefield city centre for over 400 years, with most buildings dating from the Victorian era. It is one of England and Wales's eight category A high-security jails, holding approximately 650 inmates serving indeterminate or life sentences. Over the years, it has housed infamous figures such as serial killer Harold Shipman, Charles Bronson, and Robert Maudsley, Britain's longest-serving prisoner. Current inmates include Britain's most prolific rapist Reynhard Sinaga, Sarah Payne's murderer Roy Whiting, and Mick Philpott, who killed six of his children in a house fire.
Violence and Recent Incidents
Violence is a common occurrence within the prison. In a recent incident, three convicted murderers—Mark 'The Iceman' Fellows, David Taylor, and Lee Newell—were sentenced to whole life orders for stabbing child killer Kyle Bevan to death in his cell. Disgraced Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins was also fatally injured at HMP Wakefield in October 2024. According to the HM Inspectorate of Prisons, serious assaults at the prison increased by 72% in the year leading up to July 2025. Many prisoners reported feeling unsafe, with older sex offenders sharing wings with younger inmates, and some 'self-isolating out of fear'.
Conditions and Rehabilitation
Inspectors described the prison as 'under strain', with ageing infrastructure and frequent breakdowns of vital equipment. Prisoners often spend long periods locked in their cells, unable to access activities or basic amenities. However, rehabilitation efforts are made, including courses in charity work, art, and stained glass making. Inmates can order food from a shopping list delivered by DHL, and around 30 work in the kitchen. The prison also has a gym with classes for inmates over 60.
Former senior prison officer Jo Taylor, who worked at HMP Wakefield for five years, described the toll it took on her. 'I have always looked behind me since I worked at HMP Wakefield,' she told The Sun. 'Wherever I go outside I'm constantly looking around and behind me, I never walk with headphones in or my head in a phone.'
Varley's Arrival
Varley is believed to have been transferred to Wakefield immediately after sentencing. Insiders report that fellow inmates gave him a 'traditional prisoners welcome', banging on bars and shouting threats as he walked onto the wing. 'It was quite the hit home for how the rest of his life will be,' a source told the Daily Star. 'Varley was in for a rude awakening if he thought he would be getting an easy ride.' The source added, 'They want him scared and they want to make his time inside as awful as they can - and now he knows he has a lot of time inside to serve. He is never getting out, there is no way out of this hell for him.'
