Inside Axel Rudakubana's 'hellish' life in jail from grim threats to isolation
Axel Rudakubana, the twisted Lancashire teenager who horrifically murdered three girls in Southport, is expected to endure a "living hell" in prison as he faces the rest of his life behind bars, experts suggest.
Sentenced on Thursday to a minimum of 52 years for what has been described as "sadistic" murders, the attempted murder of 10 others including eight children, manufacturing ricin, and possessing an Al-Qaeda training manual, the 18 year old's future looks grim.
The 18-year-old knifeman took a taxi to The Hart Space, which was hosting a summer holiday Taylor Swift-themed dance class, shortly before midday on the fatal summer's day of July 29, 2024. Once inside, he attacked anyone in his path, brutally murdering Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine; Bebe King, six; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, in broad daylight.
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Rudakubana, from Banks, who pleaded guilty to all charges, will be nearly 70 before he could even be considered for release, but as the judge said in court, it seems unlikely he will ever be freed. Due to the severity of his crimes, it's believed he will be kept isolated in custody and be marked by other inmates.
The situation is further complicated by his youth; committing the murders at 17 means the judge could not assign him a whole-life order, despite the nature of his acts. Mr Justice Goose said: "In just 15 minutes, Rudakubana murdered three children and attempted to murder eight other children and two adults. He was prevented from murdering more only by the escape of other children.
"He will serve almost the whole of his life in custody. I consider it likely he will never be released, and he will be in custody for all of his life."
Typically, a young offender of Rudakubana's age would be placed in a Young Offender Institution (YOI), which accommodates inmates aged 15 to 21, before being moved to an adult facility. However, due to his excessive propensity for violence, reports indicate he was sent directly to a Category A adult prison, notably Belmarsh in London, where he remained prior to receiving his sentence.
Reflecting on the killer's motivations, Criminologist and psychologist Alex Iszatt spoke to the Mirror saying Rudakubana's fixation with extreme violence denoted a "desire for control, recognition and perhaps a legacy". Her observation: "This craving for destruction seemed to be an attempt to leave a mark on the world as if violence was the only way to gain the recognition long sought."
But behind bars, Rudakubana's notoriety will return him no favours and it is likely he will be met with disgust, outrage and violence by his fellow inmates. Senior investigator and prison behaviour specialist John Eastham said: "Axel Rudakubana's life behind bars will be shaped by his age, the media scrutiny of his crimes, and his behaviour both in court and within the prison system.
"At just 18, Rudakubana may be housed in a young offenders' institution or a segregated unit within an adult prison for his protection. However, the nature of his crimes and the extensive media coverage mean he is likely to face hostility from fellow inmates. High-profile offenders, particularly those involved in violent or high-profile crimes, often become targets in prison."
Mark Fairhurst, national chairman of the Prison Officers' Association, said Rudakubana would have the same rights as every other inmate - entitlement to showers, phone calls home and exercise - and would be offered isolation. Mr Fairhurst told The Sun: "If there was any intelligence he was at risk then he would be put in the segregation unit under isolation or to some other part of the prison where he is away from everyone else."
He added: "His life will be absolute hell. He is target No.1." It is well known that those who commit offences against children sit at the bottom of the so-called prison hierarchy.
This was only exemplified by the recent case of Urfan Sharif, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his ten-year-old daughter Sara Sharif. Within just weeks of being jailed, the dad was attacked in a cell by two other inmates.
Experts believe it will be a while before Rudakubana is integrated with others for his own protection. Mr Eastham, from the British Lie Detector Test, said it is likely the murderer will be segregated following violent attacks, which may further isolate him and limit his interactions.
"His behaviour in court, marked by disruptions and a lack of remorse raises significant concerns about his willingness to engage with rehabilitation," he continued. "Reports of his satisfaction with the tragedy he caused point to a troubling lack of accountability and empathy, which could hinder his participation in programmes designed to address behavioural issues and reduce the risk of reoffending. That said, the prison system does offer structured opportunities for reflection and reform."
Rudakubana has the next five decades to work on himself and think again and again about his heinous crimes, most likely within the four walls of an isolated single cell, but according to Mr Eastham, "his current disposition suggests that meaningful rehabilitation will require a major shift in his attitude and mindset", and he may never change.
Explaining how his sought-after notoriety will backfire, Mr Eastham said: "Ultimately, while the prison environment provides avenues for growth, Rudakubana's notoriety and the violent nature of his crimes are likely to make him a target among inmates. This could result in a more challenging and isolated prison experience, which may further complicate his future."
Former prisoner Rich Jones also believes that violence awaits Rudakubana and has said justice will be served. He told our sister paper, the ECHO: "If people can get to him they will get to him and it will be a matter of once he gets on the wings, if someone has an axe to grind in there, and they want to grind it, they will grind it with him because of what he has done."
Rich, who is a British Army veteran and served seven years for conspiracy to supply cocaine, continued: "There will be some sort of justice somewhere down the line, and it will be something he has to deal with for the rest of his life." The former convict said Rudakubana might face periods of segregation and be in for a "really bumpy ride".