Some of Britain's most notorious female prisoners, including child killers Lucy Letby and Constance Marten, are reportedly set for a schedule of festive activities and treats this December at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey.
Festive Schedule for Notorious Inmates
According to a prison insider, the private jail, which houses some of the UK's worst female offenders, has a packed programme planned for the festive season. This includes opera singing classes, movie afternoons, and present-giving sessions funded by charities.
The insider told The Sun: "If people think prison is about punishment, that does not look the case at Bronzefield over Christmas. Most people, especially victims' families, would be outraged at what is being laid on." They added that the facility is "cushy by prison standards all year round" but becomes even easier during the holiday period.
Details of the Christmas Programme
The reported activities for inmates throughout December are extensive. Through the 'Jailbirds' scheme linked to Barnardo's, prisoners will receive free Christmas cards to send home. Another charity, PACT, will provide gifts worth up to £20 for inmates to send to their families.
Additional planned events include:
- Quizzes and movie afternoons.
- Opera classes running throughout the month.
- Chaplains distributing chocolates on each wing of the prison.
- A Christmas Day feast featuring turkey, chicken, and all the trimmings, followed by a choice of yule log, ice cream, or pudding.
During these activities, prisoners will allegedly be able to enjoy mince pies and chocolate.
The Prisoners at the Centre of the Report
The report specifically names three high-profile inmates set to benefit from this festive schedule. Lucy Letby, 35, is serving a whole-life term for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill eight others while working as a nurse. She is held in the prison's enhanced Unit 4.
Constance Marten, 38, and Beinash Batool, 31, are also named. Batool was convicted for her role in the murder of her 10-year-old stepdaughter, Sara Sharif.
Insiders have previously reported that Letby and Batool have formed a friendship while incarcerated on the same wing for their own protection. A source said they "hang out on the landing together most days, playing cards and chatting," noting that child killers often stick together for protection.
Controversy and Reaction
The revelation of these Christmas plans is likely to provoke significant controversy and anger, particularly from the families of the victims of these crimes. The prison insider suggested the generous provisions would outrage the public, challenging the perception of prison as a place of punishment.
HMP Bronzefield, operated by Sodexo Justice Services, is the UK's largest women's prison. The reported activities highlight the ongoing debate about the balance between rehabilitation, humane treatment, and punishment within the prison system, especially for those convicted of the most serious offences.
