Moors murderer Ian Brady was able to mix with vulnerable borstal boys at Wormwood Scrubs prison for more than five years, according to newly released Home Office files. Even after a young prisoner alleged that Brady had had sex with him, no action was taken for several months.
Brady and his girlfriend Myra Hindley tortured, sexually assaulted and murdered children in the mid-1960s, burying some bodies on Saddleworth Moor. After his 1966 conviction, Brady was held at Durham, then Parkhurst, before being transferred to Wormwood Scrubs in 1974.
Placed in the segregation unit, he began a hunger strike in summer 1975, demanding to be moved. After losing weight, he was transferred to the prison hospital, where he remained even after resuming eating. There, he had access to boys as young as 15 from Feltham Borstal who were sent to the hospital for mental health problems.
As early as 1976, the prison's principal medical officer noted Brady's unusual interest in adolescent inmates, describing his influence as 'not a wholesome one'. Despite objections from staff, Brady stayed on the Mental Observation Landing and his privileges increased. He was allowed to watch television and given cleaning duties.
Brady lost his job in autumn 1981 after a young person reported that Brady had had sex with him. He was moved back to Parkhurst the following year. The files also reveal that Brady benefited from support from penal reformer Lord Longford, who lobbied ministers on his behalf.
