A convicted k!ll3r has reportedly been moved into segregation amid fears for his safety behind bars
“KILLER TOO SCARED TO DIE”: Henry Nowak’s murderer locked in isolation over fears of ‘Monster Mansion’ fate
Henry Nowak’s killer Vickrum Digwa has been put in segregation inside Monster Mansion jailCredit: PA
Digwa fatally stabbed Henry then lied to police he was racially attackedCredit: Solent
The man who murdered teenager Henry Nowak is now living in near-total isolation behind bars, gripped by fear that he could be killed by fellow inmates — a chilling twist in one of Britain’s most disturbing recent cases.
Vickrum Digwa, 23, is currently being held at HMP Frankland in Durham, a high-security prison notorious for housing some of the UK’s most dangerous offenders and widely nicknamed “Monster Mansion.” But instead of joining the general prison population, Digwa has requested to be placed in segregation, fearing for his safety.
According to prison sources, Digwa panicked when he learned he could be moved to A-wing — the same unit where child killer Ian Huntley was murdered earlier this year. The news reportedly triggered an immediate refusal. One insider said he reacted bluntly, insisting there was “no way” he would go there, citing the killing as proof the area was unsafe.
As a result, Digwa now spends 23 hours a day locked inside a small cell, with just one hour allocated for exercise — always under strict supervision. Even then, he is kept completely separate from other inmates, with prison yards divided to prevent any interaction.
Life in segregation is described as harsh and mentally draining. Digwa has no access to a television, and his only distractions are a small wind-up radio and a handful of books. Sources say inmates in such conditions often pace their cells or shout through windows due to stress and isolation, with some pushed to the brink of psychological breakdown.
His fears are not unfounded. Due to the nature of his crime, Digwa is considered at high risk of attack from other prisoners. The killing of Henry Nowak in December 2025 sparked widespread outrage, particularly after it emerged that Digwa allegedly attempted to mislead police by claiming he had been the victim of a racist attack while his victim was still dying.
That claim intensified public anger and was treated as an aggravating factor in court. In May, Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. However, the sentence is now under review following criticism that it may be too lenient given the brutality of the crime.
Vile Digwa now spends 23 hours alone in his cell in HMP Frankland and only leaves when four guards take him for daily exerciseCredit: Alamy
Terrified Vickrum Digwa, 23, is too scared to go onto the wing where double child murderer Huntley was fatally attacked this yearCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Before his transfer to Frankland around two weeks ago, Digwa had been held at Winchester prison. His arrival at the high-security facility quickly raised concerns about his safety, given its violent history.
HMP Frankland has long been associated with serious incidents involving some of Britain’s most dangerous criminals. In February, Ian Huntley was killed in an attack involving a metal weapon. In April 2025, Manchester Arena terrorist Hashem Abedi assaulted prison officers using improvised weapons and boiling oil. The previous year, killer Damien Bendall attacked another inmate with a hammer inside a prison workshop.
Such incidents have cemented Frankland’s reputation as one of the most dangerous prisons in the country — a place where even the most feared offenders can become targets themselves.
For now, Digwa remains in isolation, and prison authorities are unlikely to force him into the general population if credible threats to his safety remain. Officials have declined to comment on the specifics of his case but maintain that all decisions are made with safety and security in mind.
The story of a killer now living in fear of being killed himself has gripped public attention — a dark paradox from within the prison system, where the line between predator and prey can shift in an instant.
