Erin Patterson, a convicted triple murderer, spends nearly 22 hours a day isolated in Victoria’s Dame Phyllis Frost Centre prison due to her high-profile case and ongoing public attention. The maximum security women’s prison has strict rules, with Patterson only allowed one contact with another prisoner serving a terrorism sentence.
Patterson’s defense attorney claims she has used the prison’s chaplaincy services, contradicting corrections officials who say she hasn’t engaged. She spends most of her time in a protected area called the Gordon unit due to staff shortages and ongoing lockdowns.
The United Nations recommends a 15-day maximum segregation period, but Patterson has been separated from other prisoners for nearly 400 days. Her isolation is meant to protect her safety as well as others’, with only one hour of access to a courtyard per day.
In court, the defense argued that Patterson’s isolation makes the “burden of imprisonment” greater for her than other prisoners, and would be required to manage her risk from other inmates. The judge agreed, calling her conditions “not very humane,” and expressed confidence they would last for a long time due to public notoriety.
Patterson will face a life sentence with a non-parole period of 20 years after being sentenced on September 8.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/aug/25/erin-patterson-life-behind-bars-detailed-in-court-mushroom-murders