Vickrum Digwa, convicted of murdering 18-year-old Henry Nowak, has been approved for prison-to-prison video calls with his mother, Kiran Kaur, who is also serving a jail sentence. The decision has reportedly angered prison staff and drawn criticism from reform MP Robert Jenrick.
Digwa, 23, is currently held at HMP Frankland in Durham after stabbing Nowak five times in December. Kaur, 53, is incarcerated at Bronzefield Prison in Surrey for her role in hiding the weapon used in the attack. The two are expected to begin making calls within weeks.
Sources indicate that the video calls, referred to as 'purple visits,' will be monitored by prison staff. Both Digwa and Kaur will be required to communicate in English to ensure adherence to monitoring protocols. If the conversation deviates to Punjabi or discusses the murder, the call will be terminated.
Digwa was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years in June. During the murder trial, he was described as 'weapon obsessed.' He initially lied to police at the scene, claiming he was the victim of a racist attack. However, bodycam footage later showed Nowak repeatedly stating he had been stabbed and could not breathe as officers attended to him.
Reform MP Robert Jenrick commented on the situation, stating, "While Henry Nowak’s family and friends struggle to get over their loss and his terrible death, his despicable killer is enjoying perks in jail. He shouldn’t have any privileges - it’s a disgrace."
A prison insider expressed frustration, questioning the accommodation of Digwa's requests when Nowak's family will not see him again. "It is beyond a joke, and we go too far to accommodate the needs of killers," the source told The Sun.
The Prison Service issued a statement, saying, "This prisoner is being managed within the prison estate in line with the severity of the heinous offences for which he was convicted."