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Ian Huntley has died

570 replies

Viviennemary · 07/03/2026 10:05

That's according to BBC news. Can't say I'm sorry.

OP posts:
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5
AnnaQuayRules · 07/03/2026 11:17

Monthlymonster · 07/03/2026 10:49

Is this true? If you’re held wrongly in prison you have to pay for staying there?

Yes, it's taken out of your compensation. Which is appalling

https://www.theguardian.com/law/article/2024/aug/09/uk-government-will-not-repay-some-bed-and-board-deductions-to-wrongfully-imprisoned?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

properidiot · 07/03/2026 11:19

Holly and Jessica. They are the only names we need to say out loud today.

I hope hell in his death is everything that terrified him in his life.

MovedlikeHarlowinMonteCarlo · 07/03/2026 11:22

iceteababy · 07/03/2026 10:14

I 100% agree with this.

We should not have a system in which prisoners are able to harm each other, let alone murder each other.

It is not a cause for celebration that we do.

While I recognise this is true I find it hard to care that it happened to Huntley.

Maybe I'm not compassionate enough or im hard hearted but I just can't bring myself to be wringing my hands about how awful it is that prisons are not always safe.

TiredShadows · 07/03/2026 11:22

I'm another who hopes the press will drop the story quickly so we can stop seeing him and the families aren't dragged more through this - but I also think that's not a realistic expectation.

I find the idea of a prison system so overstretched and underfunded that one prisoner can kill another completely shocking.

I agree that it's a sad state of affairs that this not only appears to have not been difficult for his murderer to do this, but it's also widely treated as inevitable.

I struggle to see it as shocking at all though - successive governments have stripped the MoJ of resources (not just funding, but selling of sites) and pushed for privatization of the prison and other parts of the justice system, just as they've done in many other government departments. There are also the issues that recruitment is incredibly difficult even with staffing cuts, and pretty much anyone I talk to whose been around this for a while talks about how stripped back the training is compared to how it was previously. Some say this is why we're seeing a significant increase in prison officers ending up in the dock, though it's likely one of many factors.

While some were hoping the most recent Leveson inquiry would bring the issues into the MoJ into full light, it's mostly been distracted away with recommendations to reduce which cases can have a jury, and ignored most of the rest. We know that MoJ staff as a whole, prison and otherwise, are paid thousands less than the same grade in other departments (the gap is most often compared to the higher paid HMRC). A member of court staff was badly attacked in last autumn near where I am, and the reaction I saw was mealy mouth words from higher ups about increasing security that's never been mentioned again and a general treatment that 'well this happens, staff just have to keep themselves safe', ignoring the contradiction when things like outdoor lighting failing leads to recommendations to just carry torches or that mobile security alarms to call security for public facing staff aren't being replaced, and instead they gave the staff most at risk those £2 panic alarms...

Thankfully most people don't have to think about the work of the MoJ, some throughout their entire lives. That makes it easier for governments to strip and more difficult for those who work there and those who need it to push for the changes we need. As a pp said - prison reform doesn't win votes - I think that' true of the MoJ reform as a whole. I don't think an event like this will spark enough to change that, I don't think I can even imagine what sort of event would be needed to get the public to push for the government to take accountability and make the changes needed to keep anyone in it safe.

Pleasealexa · 07/03/2026 11:22

All the risk assessments and mitigation going isn't going to be able to stop incidents of violence taking place. That's too high a burden on staff

100% agree. There is such naivety about the ability to protect high risk prisoners especially when balanced with human rights legislation. The prison service will have conducted extensive assessments but no security is infallible. One risk is closed/reduced but another is found..they can't prevent every essential item in prison being used as a weapon. I can't imagine the bravery needed to work in these high secure prisons.

Ponoka7 · 07/03/2026 11:23

I would have preferred it if all of the press had stuck to the photos of Holly and Jessica. The families and friends don't need Huntley to be everywhere.

However, taking the sentiment from here, Lucy Letby should be the next target. I wonder if there'd be as much support.

meg900 · 07/03/2026 11:23

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

SharonEllis · 07/03/2026 11:23

MovedlikeHarlowinMonteCarlo · 07/03/2026 11:22

While I recognise this is true I find it hard to care that it happened to Huntley.

Maybe I'm not compassionate enough or im hard hearted but I just can't bring myself to be wringing my hands about how awful it is that prisons are not always safe.

You have no humanity to spare for the people who have to work there?

MidnightMeltdown · 07/03/2026 11:25

Feel sorry for his mother. Apparently she was at his bedside when he died. Imagine the emotional turmoil of having that as your child.

anyolddinosaur · 07/03/2026 11:26

No ones death should be celebrated. I am sad for his mother as I am for the families of Holly and Jessica.

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

Gymnopediegivesmethewillies · 07/03/2026 11:26

I wonder how it happened. I would have thought he would have been on the vulnerable prisoner wing (not as charming as it sounds, they keep paedophiles and others that are likely to be attacked on a segregated wing). They are kept separate from the general population for their own protection so are harder to get at. Someone must have been very determined.

DeftWasp · 07/03/2026 11:27

WildMintPanda · 07/03/2026 11:13

We shouldn't bother to prosecute for murder if the person is already a murderer?

Not if they are never getting out anyway!

CurlewKate · 07/03/2026 11:27

Growlybear83 · 07/03/2026 10:14

Perhaps it has nothing to do with the prison system being overstretched and underfunded but more to do with staff turning a blind eye with people like Huntley and letting justice take its course.

That’s even worse.

Lemonfrost · 07/03/2026 11:27

MovedlikeHarlowinMonteCarlo · 07/03/2026 11:22

While I recognise this is true I find it hard to care that it happened to Huntley.

Maybe I'm not compassionate enough or im hard hearted but I just can't bring myself to be wringing my hands about how awful it is that prisons are not always safe.

That's a huge mistake on your part then.

WildMintPanda · 07/03/2026 11:28

igelkott2026 · 07/03/2026 10:49

There are certain people who you just can't rehabiliate.

I think we lock far too many people up and the only people who should be locked up are those who are a danger to society - murderers and rapists - and arsonists. There's a need for some short sharp shock treatment as well - 1-3 month sentences for things like contempt of court.

But it's a waste of time and effort to lock a lot of people up. They'd be much better working, and employers need to stop using DBS checks as fishing expeditions. Probably for another thread though. And there are no votes in prison reform.

But murderers, rapists and arsonists are not the only dangers to society.

Drug dealers are, people traffickers are.

I know a prolific offender who has never had a driving licence and continually drives without a licence or insurance, usually off his tits on drink and drugs.

He frequently crashes in the early hours then dumps the uninsured, untaxed car and runs. Several years ago he crashed and nearly killed his brother and the girl he was cheating on his GF with but he ran off and the injured who are all criminals like he is said they couldn't remember who was driving so the Police could do nothing. Ran off and got changed and didn't even bother to anonymously call 999 while he believed at the time that he'd killed 2 people, one of them his sibling.

Literally the only time he's ever not a danger to society is when he's locked up after consecutive charges of driving without a licence, driving while being banned from driving (despite never having a licence), drugs and public order offences and then failing to do his community order, pay fines or co-operate with being tagged.

So every couple of years he gets sent down then walks out of prison after a few weeks or months and gets into the driving seat of a car brought to the prison by his GF, family or mates.

Dollymylove · 07/03/2026 11:29

The Moors murderers only escaped the death penalty by a small margin.
Shame really.....

BlusteryLake · 07/03/2026 11:30

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

I suspect he will be quietly cremated out of hours somewhere.

onelumporthree · 07/03/2026 11:32

climbintheback · 07/03/2026 10:41

Maybe prisoners who commit violence in prison should be in solitary for the rest of their stay - might put them off the idea especially lifers who have nothing to lose.

All the human rights lawyers would have a field day with that one, concerned as they are with the human rights of the despicable offenders rather than the human rights of their victims & families. Not to mention the human rights of the general public (and police & prison officers) who have the right to go about their daily lives free from the curse of dangerous murderers walking among us.

NotMeAtAll · 07/03/2026 11:32

I wonder if the murdering rapist who killed him will become a hero now. 🙄

Missm68 · 07/03/2026 11:34

good who's next ?

HangingOutAtTheRialto · 07/03/2026 11:35

NotMeAtAll · 07/03/2026 11:32

I wonder if the murdering rapist who killed him will become a hero now. 🙄

Edited

He already is in some people's minds, as evidenced on this thread and in comments sections across the internet. Lots of people would like to buy him a pint, give him a medal, pat him on the back etc. Boggles the mind.

WildMintPanda · 07/03/2026 11:35

TiredShadows · 07/03/2026 11:22

I'm another who hopes the press will drop the story quickly so we can stop seeing him and the families aren't dragged more through this - but I also think that's not a realistic expectation.

I find the idea of a prison system so overstretched and underfunded that one prisoner can kill another completely shocking.

I agree that it's a sad state of affairs that this not only appears to have not been difficult for his murderer to do this, but it's also widely treated as inevitable.

I struggle to see it as shocking at all though - successive governments have stripped the MoJ of resources (not just funding, but selling of sites) and pushed for privatization of the prison and other parts of the justice system, just as they've done in many other government departments. There are also the issues that recruitment is incredibly difficult even with staffing cuts, and pretty much anyone I talk to whose been around this for a while talks about how stripped back the training is compared to how it was previously. Some say this is why we're seeing a significant increase in prison officers ending up in the dock, though it's likely one of many factors.

While some were hoping the most recent Leveson inquiry would bring the issues into the MoJ into full light, it's mostly been distracted away with recommendations to reduce which cases can have a jury, and ignored most of the rest. We know that MoJ staff as a whole, prison and otherwise, are paid thousands less than the same grade in other departments (the gap is most often compared to the higher paid HMRC). A member of court staff was badly attacked in last autumn near where I am, and the reaction I saw was mealy mouth words from higher ups about increasing security that's never been mentioned again and a general treatment that 'well this happens, staff just have to keep themselves safe', ignoring the contradiction when things like outdoor lighting failing leads to recommendations to just carry torches or that mobile security alarms to call security for public facing staff aren't being replaced, and instead they gave the staff most at risk those £2 panic alarms...

Thankfully most people don't have to think about the work of the MoJ, some throughout their entire lives. That makes it easier for governments to strip and more difficult for those who work there and those who need it to push for the changes we need. As a pp said - prison reform doesn't win votes - I think that' true of the MoJ reform as a whole. I don't think an event like this will spark enough to change that, I don't think I can even imagine what sort of event would be needed to get the public to push for the government to take accountability and make the changes needed to keep anyone in it safe.

Going back only a few years I know in my area experienced older prison officers on higher pay grades were offered early retirement to cut costs.

Then there was an influx of officers only a few years out of school who'd been on training courses of a few weeks then thrown onto wings with hardened criminals.

And then we wonder why so many officers are being groomed/threatened/manipulated into bringing in contraband and why so many young female officers are being groomed and manipulated into thinking they have a massive love story with the inmate that's just a diamond in the rough really in their minds and shagging them on prison estate property in addition to bringing in contraband.

Monthlymonster · 07/03/2026 11:35

In really shocked by this

Dollymylove · 07/03/2026 11:36

BlusteryLake · 07/03/2026 11:30

I suspect he will be quietly cremated out of hours somewhere.

When Hindley died they really struggled to find a crematorium that would take her. Can't blame them really !!

HangingOutAtTheRialto · 07/03/2026 11:37

Missm68 · 07/03/2026 11:34

good who's next ?

Who knows? Depends who the vigilantes take a dislike to next. Might be a prison officer, or a nurse, some kid groomed into county lines, or someone wrongfully convicted. Who cares though, eh?

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