FORMER INMATE DESCRIBES LIFE IN HMP FRANKLAND AS REPORTS CLAIM HENRY NOWAK’S KILLER REFUSED TO JOIN PRISON WING

Fresh reports have emerged about Vickrum Digwa, the man serving a life sentence for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, with claims that he has refused to move onto one of the residential wings at HMP Frankland, one of the United Kingdom’s highest-security prisons.
According to recent UK media reports citing an unnamed prison source, Digwa is currently being held in the prison’s segregation unit after allegedly refusing to transfer to a wing within the prison. The reports claim he expressed concerns about his personal safety following his arrival at HMP Frankland, a facility that houses some of Britain’s most dangerous offenders. These claims have not been independently confirmed by HM Prison and Probation Service, which does not comment on individual prisoners.

The reports have gained further attention after a former inmate who previously served time at HMP Frankland described what life in segregation can be like. According to the former prisoner, inmates who refuse placement on a prison wing may spend long periods isolated from the general prison population under strict security measures.

The former inmate claimed that segregation can involve spending up to 23 hours a day inside a cell, with only limited time outside for exercise under close supervision. They also described reduced privileges compared with prisoners living on standard wings, saying that daily life can become mentally challenging because of the prolonged isolation. These descriptions are broadly consistent with previous inspections of segregation units at HMP Frankland, although conditions vary depending on the individual prisoner’s circumstances.

HMP Frankland has long been regarded as one of the UK’s most secure prisons, housing inmates convicted of some of the country’s most serious offences. Official inspection reports note that while the prison is generally well managed, many prisoners report feeling unsafe because of the high-risk population housed there.

Digwa was convicted of murdering Southampton university student Henry Nowak in December 2025 after falsely claiming he had been the victim of a racist attack. In June 2026, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. His sentence has since been referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme for review.

Since his imprisonment, numerous claims about Digwa’s treatment in custody have circulated online. Some, including allegations that he had been attacked by other prisoners, were later found to be false after the Ministry of Justice confirmed that no such ᴀssault had taken place.
The latest reports regarding Digwa’s placement in segregation remain based largely on unnamed prison sources and media reporting. No official confirmation has been issued regarding the specific reasons for his current housing arrangements. What remains unchanged, however, is his conviction and life sentence for the murder of Henry Nowak.
Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/39614636/henry-nowaks-killer-digwa-ian-huntley-monster-mansion/