Lucy Letby’s life behind bars – from ‘excrement-smeared’ walls to ‘protection’

Lucy Letby will be constantly looking over her shoulder for the rest of her life, according to a former inmate at the prison where the convicted serial killer was held.

The child killer, whose latest bid to appeal one of her murder convictions was rejected, was an inmate at New Hall prison during her trial.

Letby, 34, was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016. “Jo”, a former inmate at the same prison, told authors Jonathan Coffey and Judith Moritz that Letby will likely be targeted by other inmates.

In their book, Unmasking Lucy Letby, Jo is quoted as saying: “Those inside hate anybody that does anything to children. She’ll have to watch her back all the time – and the prison officers will have to watch her like a hawk for safety.”

Most serious offenders at New Hall are housed in individual cells for their own protection, but conditions are generally harsh. “The walls weren’t very clean,” Jo recalled. “There were signs of excrement and lots of graffiti.”

Jo claimed that while she was being held at New Hall, one of the prison officers had been “kettled”, a so-called “prison napalm” attack in which boiling sugar-water is thrown over a target, resulting in agonising burns that often leave the victim with permanent scarring.

Prison officers are said to be on high alert when notorious inmates mingle with the general population.

Jo remembers how infamous inmate Rose West was surrounded by several prison officers when she visited the sewing room, to prevent any potential attacks. 

After her trial, Letby was moved to HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, which is said to offer more comfortable conditions.

Reports suggest she has a private cell equipped with an ensuite shower, a television, and a personal phone line. As a Category A prisoner, she is expected to spend roughly 22 hours a day in that cell.

Retired prison governor Vanessa Frake told The Mirror: “She’ll probably still be on suicide watch, away from the general population of the prison, with other like-minded prisoners. Anything Letby wants, with regard to education or leaving the wing, will have to be risk-assessed and all visitors will be scrutinised.”

It’s likely that she will spend the rest of her life behind bars, constantly under the threat of possible attacks from fellow inmates.

The ex-nurse, currently serving 14 whole-life prison terms, has voiced her grievances about being subjected to “unadulterated vitriol” in the media prior to her trial.

She believes this prejudiced the jury against her and led to a widespread public misjudgement.

In an appeal application, her legal team labelled it as “unprecedented” for a police force, specifically Cheshire constabulary, to launch such “blistering attacks” on a defendant.

Throughout her trial and subsequent appeal proceedings, Letby has consistently asserted her innocence.