Twisted child killer Ian Huntley is set to undergo significant changes should he recover from severe head injuries sustained in a recent prison assault.
Huntley, aged 52, is currently in a serious condition at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle after being attacked with a metal bar in a prison workshop, causing life-threatening injuries.
Due to the severity of his injuries, Huntley will not be returning to Frankland jail in Durham but is expected to be transferred to Ashworth Secure Hospital. Sources indicate that Ashworth is best equipped to cater to his needs and will likely be his destination upon discharge from the hospital.
If moved to Ashworth, Huntley will be subject to a high-security operation, including a police escort for the ambulance transporting him on the three-hour journey covering 170 miles to the hospital.
Other potential options for his placement include Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire and Rampton in Nottinghamshire. At Ashworth, Huntley will receive specialized care away from the general prison population, with access to various activities such as art workshops, music classes, and social events like bingo and film nights.
Patients at Ashworth are encouraged to engage in social activities as part of their treatment, and the environment is designed to be less restrictive compared to traditional prisons. Rooms are equipped with amenities like music players and books, and patients are treated as individuals requiring mental health support.
Huntley’s current condition is being closely monitored by medical staff, with Durham Police confirming his serious status in the hospital. Prior to the assault, Huntley had expressed concerns about potential harm from other inmates, leading to his distrust of prison food.
Ian Huntley is serving a life sentence for the 2002 murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire. Following his conviction in 2003, he was sentenced to a minimum of 40 years in prison. His former girlfriend, Maxine Carr, was also convicted in connection with the case.
Despite the ongoing investigations into the recent assault on Huntley, authorities have not officially named the suspect involved in the attack. Huntley’s turbulent history includes previous incidents of violence during his time in various prisons, further complicating his current situation.
