Twisted child murderer Ian Huntley is set to face significant changes should he recover from the severe head injuries sustained in a recent vicious prison assault.
Huntley, aged 52, is currently in a serious condition at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle following a life-threatening attack where he was repeatedly struck in the head with a metal bar in a prison workshop.
Due to the extent of his injuries, Huntley will not be returning to Frankland jail in Durham. Instead, plans are being made to transfer him to Ashworth Secure Hospital, which is deemed better equipped to cater to his medical needs. Security measures are being put in place for his potential move, including a police escort for the ambulance journey to Ashworth, which is a three-hour, 170-mile trip.
Other potential options for Huntley’s care include Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire and Rampton in Nottinghamshire. Ashworth, known for its therapeutic environment with various activities like art workshops, music classes, and social events, provides a more tailored approach to patient treatment compared to traditional prison settings.
Patients at Ashworth, including Huntley, are encouraged to participate in social activities, and the facility offers a more open and relaxed environment than a typical prison. The hospital focuses on treating patients under the Mental Health Act rather than as conventional prisoners, costing taxpayers approximately £300,000 per patient annually.
Despite a previous brief stay at Rampton after his 2002 arrest, Huntley was deemed fit to be transferred to a prison. However, he is expected to be moved back to a prison once his health allows. Huntley’s critical condition following the recent assault required him to be transported by road rather than air to the hospital, where he was placed in an induced coma for medical treatment.
Medical staff have maintained professionalism in treating Huntley, who has been wary of fellow inmates potentially harming him within the prison environment. In light of the assault, Huntley’s concerns about his safety and well-being have heightened, leading to heightened security measures for his protection.
Huntley, serving a life sentence for the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, faces a minimum term of 40 years for the heinous crimes committed in Soham, Cambridgeshire. He was convicted in December 2003 at the Old Bailey, with his former girlfriend Maxine Carr also facing legal consequences for her involvement in the case.
Following the recent assault, Huntley’s health remains a concern, and his future care and security arrangements are being closely monitored by authorities.