Serial killer Rose West is reportedly deteriorating in prison, with sources claiming the 72-year-old is "on her last legs" and "rotting away" in her cell at HMP New Hall in West Yorkshire.
West, who has spent the last 31 years behind bars, is said to be in such poor health that she would be unable to leave the prison on her own in the event of a fire or other emergency. A source told The Sun that West is in a "really bad way" and can "barely move".
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan
According to a Mirror source, West has been placed on a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) due to her declining health. A PEEP is designed to ensure prison staff can safely evacuate offenders with disabilities or health conditions that could affect their ability to leave during an emergency.
A source told The Sun: "The fact she has this PEEP in place shows what a poor state her health is in. Having a PEEP is extremely rare and officers only use them for those in the most danger if there is an emergency."
The source added: "People have been talking about how West is on her last legs and does not have long left because of her health. She cannot leave her wing and is also resigned to dying in jail."
Health and Daily Life in Prison
The source continued: "She cannot really move unaided and has to be protected by staff. She rarely goes outside and cannot go to the gym or take part in activities like yoga. All she can do really is watch telly and read as she rots away in her cell."
A spokesman for the Prison Service said: "Rose West's crimes were horrific, and she will rightly spend the rest of her life behind bars."
West was jailed for life in 1995 after helping her husband Fred murder at least nine people between 1967 and 1987 at their home in Gloucester. Fred, who buried many of their victims at the "House of Horrors", killed himself in 1995 while awaiting trial aged 53. West has been held at New Hall since 2019, when she was moved from Low Newton prison in Durham.
Prison Conditions and Weight Concerns
West's worsening condition comes as inmates at New Hall have complained about gaining weight, according to the Mirror. A report found that those moved from other jails said the food served was too "carb heavy". Inspectors from the Independent Monitoring Board said the catering manager had been tasked with finding "healthier and more nutritionally balanced meals".
Several years ago, West was reportedly ordered by prison doctors to go on a diet after being deemed "dangerously overweight", having ballooned to 18 stone on a diet of cake, crisps and chocolate.
