Erin Patterson, convicted of murdering three relatives with death cap mushrooms, is being held in near-constant isolation in a Victorian prison, a situation a prisoner rights group has described as "tantamount to torture." The advocacy group Justice Action is calling for Patterson to receive peer counseling to address her mental well-being.
Patterson's confinement at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre involves being held in her cell for at least 22 hours a day, with limited approved contact with only one other prisoner during supervised yard time. Justice Action co-ordinator Brett Collins stated that this level of isolation, particularly for someone with pre-existing mental health disorders, risks causing permanent psychological damage. The group is also advocating for Patterson to be assigned a trained peer support mentor, an initiative they would offer at no cost to the state.
In July 2023, Patterson, now 51, poisoned her former extended relatives by lacing beef Wellingtons with death cap mushrooms. During her sentencing, Justice Christopher Beale made her eligible for parole after 33 years, partly due to the extended solitary confinement anticipated due to safety risks from other inmates. Collins noted that Patterson's method of murder could make her particularly unpopular with fellow prisoners, suggesting a breach of trust contributed to this animosity.
IMAGE2 Mushroom murderer Erin Patterson is being kept in near-constant isolation, leaving her frightened and, supporters fear, at risk of psychological decline.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice and Community Safety stated that while individual prisoner placements are not commented on, all inmates have regular contact with prison staff, health professionals, lawyers, and chaplains. Despite these assurances, Collins maintains Patterson is frightened and disliked by other inmates.
IMAGE3 Mr Collins said Patterson is frightened and hated by other inmates.
These concerns about Patterson's mental health arise after it was reported she was approved to receive the weight-loss drug Ozempic. The decision was reportedly made due to her isolation and inability to exercise. A prison source expressed concern that management prioritized the weight of a convicted killer over staff safety. The Department of Justice and Community Safety indicated that inmate access to such medications is based on clear medical necessity as determined by a clinician, often to prevent serious conditions like type two diabetes.
IMAGE5 It was revealed this week that the self-confessed 'binge eater' was recently approved to receive weight-loss drug Ozempic.
Separately, Patterson has appealed her conviction on seven grounds, arguing a "substantial miscarriage of justice" occurred during her 11-week trial, including a claim that she was forced to give evidence after mushroom photos were excluded. The Director of Public Prosecutions has also appealed the sentence length, seeking a full life sentence without parole eligibility. A decision on these appeals is pending.
IMAGE1 Prisoner rights group Justice Action has called the treatment tantamount to torture.