Isolated and Alone: The Solitary Prison Life of Murder Convict Adeshola Ore

Adeshola Ore Erin Patterson, a triple murderer, spends most of her time in Victoria's maximum security women's prison isolated from the rest of the inmates. She is permitted to have contact with only one other prisoner, who has a history of attacking others, and spends about 22 hours a day in her cell due to ongoing lockdowns. Patterson's defence barrister argued that her isolation is a relevant sentencing factor, making the "burden of imprisonment" much greater for her than other prisoners.

Key Takeaways:

• Adeshola Ore Erin Patterson, a triple murderer, spends most of her time in isolation at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in Melbourne.
• Patterson is only allowed to have contact with one other prisoner, who has a history of attacking others, and has never spoken to this person.
• She spends about 22 hours a day in her cell due to ongoing lockdowns and has access to a small courtyard for no more than one hour a day.
• Patterson has not engaged with the prison's chaplaincy services, despite her defence barrister stating she has used the service and seen the chaplain multiple times.
• The prison's isolation conditions are unchanged since she was charged in November 2023, with Patterson having spent over 400 days in restricted unit.
• The United Nations guidelines stipulate 15 days as the maximum time for segregation, but Patterson's defence barrister argued she has been in isolation for much longer.
• Patterson will have access to the prison's education services after sentencing, which will be held on 8 September.

Statistics:

• Over 400 days: The amount of time Adeshola Ore Erin Patterson has spent in the restricted unit, separated from other prisoners.
• 22 hours: The amount of time Patterson spends in her cell each day due to ongoing lockdowns and isolation conditions.
• 1 hour: The amount of time Patterson spends in the small courtyard each day, due to her isolation conditions.
• 15 days: The maximum time stipulated by the United Nations for segregation.

Sources:

• Victorian Supreme Court [as stated in the original text]
• Corrections Victoria's Assistant Commissioner Jenny Hosking [as stated in the original text]
• Patterson's defence barrister Colin Mandy SC [as stated in the original text]
• The Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, Melbourne [as stated in the original text]
• United Nations guidelines on segregation [as stated in the original text]