Warning: This article contains discussion of child sexual abuse which may be distressing for some readers.
A former prisoner who was incarcerated alongside Lostprophets’ pedophile Ian Watkins has detailed how the entire prison population was aware of Watkins’ heinous acts, leading to him being seen as a ‘dead man walking’.
Ian Watkins, aged 48, met a violent end inside his cell at HMP Wakefield, a high-security prison situated just south of Leeds in northern England, on Saturday morning (October 11).
Reports indicate that the disgraced musician, convicted of horrific crimes including the attempted rape of a baby, had his throat cut following the release of inmates from their cells.
Despite the swift response from first responders, Watkins was declared dead at the scene due to significant blood loss.
HMP Wakefield, where Watkins was serving his sentence, is a maximum-security facility shared with some of the UK’s most dangerous offenders, a fact highlighted by a prison officer.
Speaking anonymously, the officer told the Daily Mail: “There are so many sex offenders in Wakefield, along with some of the most violent people in the country. It’s a very dangerous mix.”
“With sex offenders, you could have people jailed for date rape all the way through to prolific child abusers, who are beyond any form of rehabilitation, mixing with violent criminals, murderers, and gangsters.”
Nonetheless, unlike the majority of sex offenders at HMP Wakefield, Watkins’ crimes were widely known.
According to a former inmate, quoted by The Mirror, “Watkins was effectively a dead man walking from the moment he arrived in Wakefield.”
“There is an unwritten rule that you don’t ask people what crime they did, but everyone knew that Watkins attempted to rape a baby.”
“He had been attacked before and was abused every day. He was a loner, self-centered and remorseless. He had no real friends and spent a lot of time on his own in his room.”
Watkins’ life ended 12 years into his 35-year sentence, marking the midpoint of the time he would have served behind bars.
Judge Justice Royce, in sentencing, specified, “In your case that means you will have to serve 2/3 of the custodial term before you can be considered for release by the Parole Board. If you are released you will remain on licence for the extended period.”
Following the musician’s murder, two individuals, 25-year-old Rashid Gedel and 43-year-old Samuel Dodsworth, have been charged. The prison reportedly broke into celebration when news of Watkins’ death circulated.
A partner of one inmate shared with the Daily Mail: “He said that there was cheering when word spread that Watkins had been killed. All of the prisoners were locked in their cells, but word spread quickly. He was hated because his crimes were so sick.”
If you need support or wish to speak confidentially about child welfare issues, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)) operates 24/7, receiving calls from the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico.