Robert Maudsley, known as Britain’s “most dangerous killer,” has recently brought an end to his hunger strike after concerns were raised by his family regarding his well-being. The 71-year-old Maudsley, who is serving a life sentence for a series of murders, has spent over 46 years in solitary confinement, making him the world record holder for the longest time in isolation from other inmates. This notorious prisoner, once dubbed ‘Hannibal the Cannibal,’ embarked on the hunger strike after prison officers confiscated his electronic devices, including his PlayStation, TV, hi-fi, and books, which are reported to have been his primary sources of entertainment and mental stimulation.
Following the removal of his belongings, Maudsley’s brother, Paul, expressed concerns about his brother’s state of mind during the hunger strike. Paul shared that Maudsley had conveyed his intentions of going on a hunger strike in a phone call that left him sounding angry and anxious. The abrupt removal of his sources of entertainment has seemingly had a significant impact on Maudsley’s mental well-being. He has been deprived of activities he enjoys, such as playing war games and chess on his PlayStation. The abrupt loss of these privileges has left him feeling isolated and lacking in stimulation, similar to his state ten years ago when he had nothing to occupy his mind.
Despite his reputation as a dangerous inmate, it has been revealed that Maudsley is now back to consuming regular meals, signifying the end of his hunger strike. Apart from his menacing reputation, which led to his moniker ‘Hannibal the Cannibal’ among fellow prisoners, Maudsley is known to have a high IQ and diverse interests, including a love for classical music, poetry, and art. His decades of confinement in an 18ft by 15ft glass cell have been equated to being “buried alive in a coffin,” illustrating the starkness and desolation of his living conditions.
Maudsley’s prison saga began in 1974 when he was convicted of the murder of John Farrell, a 30-year-old child abuser. Subsequently, he committed three additional murders of individuals whom he believed to be rapists and paedophiles. Despite attempts to appeal for release from solitary confinement and even requesting a cyanide pill to end his life, Maudsley remains one of the longest-serving prisoners in the UK. His living conditions, akin to those experienced by the fictional character Dr Hannibal Lecter, are testament to the extreme measures taken to contain individuals deemed high-risk within the prison system.
While the Ministry of Justice declined to comment on the specifics of Maudsley’s hunger strike, they clarified that solitary confinement as a punitive measure does not exist within the UK prison system. Offenders who pose risks to others may be segregated, although they are granted daily outdoor time, visitation rights, phone calls, and access to legal and medical assistance. The placement of offenders in segregation is subject to regular reviews to ensure their well-being and compliance with regulations.
Despite his ominous reputation, individuals who have interacted with Maudsley within the prison walls describe him as gentle, kind, and exceptionally intelligent. The complexities of his case shed light on the challenges faced by the prison authorities in balancing security concerns with the humane treatment of inmates. As Maudsley resumes his daily routines, the spotlight remains on the intricate dynamics of managing high-risk individuals within the prison system and the ongoing debates surrounding solitary confinement as a form of punishment or rehabilitation.