Vickrum Digwa, 23, who brutally stabbed Southampton University student Henry Nowak to death last December, has been transferred from Winchester prison to HMP Frankland in Co Durham, a Category A men’s prison with a fearsome reputation among Britain’s most dangerous criminals. Inmates and staff alike have nicknamed the facility “Monster Mansion” thanks to the notoriety of those behind its walls.
The prison has an especially grim history. In February, Ian Huntley, convicted of the Soham murders, was fatally assaulted inside HMP Frankland. Another inmate has since been charged with Huntley’s death, leaving Digwa well aware of the potential dangers he now faces. Guards are reportedly keeping a close watch on him around the clock, concerned both for his safety and the risk he might attempt self-harm.
This week, Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. Judge William Mousley, passing sentence at Southampton Crown Court, dismissed the killer’s claims of racial provocation, stressing that Henry Nowak had said nothing to justify the attack and that the allegations were at odds with his known character.
Despite the life sentence, Digwa’s situation at HMP Frankland is far from comfortable. As an “enhanced” inmate, he receives £33 a week, access to gym facilities, workshops, and extra phone calls. Yet these privileges do little to ease the terror he reportedly feels. Sources speaking to The Sun said: “He’s cowering in his cell and doesn’t want to mix. He’s already received threats and knows exactly what happened to Huntley. He’s in a really bad position and is fully aware of it – though nobody is shedding tears for him.”
Digwa had previously been investigated in 2023 over reports that he had stolen ceremonial blades from a Sikh temple in Southampton, though no charges followed. During his trial, it was claimed the knife he carried was part of his religious practice. The horrific footage of Mr Nowak dying in police custody further inflamed public outrage, showing a young man, restrained and alone, gasping “I can’t breathe” as he bled out.
With Digwa now housed among some of Britain’s most feared killers, his former bravado has vanished. Where he once appeared confident and unremorseful, he now faces the stark reality of life inside a Category A prison. Inmates, some of whom have committed crimes that shocked the nation, dominate the social hierarchy here, and even seasoned criminals are said to tread carefully to avoid being marked for attack. For Digwa, being a newcomer in such a hostile environment has apparently been a terrifying adjustment.
Sources inside HMP Frankland paint a picture of a man profoundly changed. “He’s completely different from the person we saw in court. He’s scared, withdrawn, and aware of the danger he’s in. He’s had threats already, and the knowledge of what happened to Huntley is weighing heavily on him. He’s in no position to intimidate anyone – the tables have turned entirely.”
As Digwa begins his sentence among the most notorious figures in the country, the story remains a cautionary tale of a life destroyed by one horrific act. Henry Nowak’s family continue to mourn, while Digwa now faces a prison life defined not by his own power but by the ever-present threat from those around him.
