Axel Rudakubana, the convicted killer from Southport, has been upgraded from a ‘basic’ to a ‘standard’ prison regime, gaining additional privileges while serving his 52-year sentence for the murder of three girls in Meols Cop, Southport, Merseyside in July 2024.
The upgrade in his regime follows an incident in May where Rudakubana allegedly assaulted a prison guard by throwing boiling water at him. Under the new conditions, he now has more weekly spending allowance at the prison canteen and increased time outside his cell. Additionally, Rudakubana now has enhanced access to workshops, the library, and gym facilities at HMP Belmarsh.
According to a source, the decision to upgrade Rudakubana to a standard regime has sparked outrage as it is seen as rewarding him for good behavior. This upgrade allows him a more comfortable life within the prison, giving him access to a Freeview TV with limited film options, a DVD player, and increased phone credit.
Prisoners under the standard regime receive approximately £20 a week to spend, a significant increase from the £5.50 allocated to those under the basic regime. This system is part of the prison’s strategy to incentivize positive conduct among inmates.
The Ministry of Justice and HM Prison & Probation Service have been approached for comments on this matter. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing regarding the May incident where Rudakubana allegedly attacked a prison guard with scalding water, resulting in the guard being hospitalized briefly.
Following his arrest for the Southport attack, Rudakubana pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 52 years. It is important to note that false rumors identifying the attacker as a Muslim asylum seeker after the incident led to social media unrest and riots across various UK cities, causing fear among immigrant communities.
The prison service reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards violence within correctional facilities, emphasizing the need for stringent penalties for any assaults on staff.
