Prison draws up emergency evacuation plan for serial killer Rose West, 72, who is said to be 'on her last legs'

From the Newshound archive · first published 16 October 2026 · last updated 18 October 2026.

Rose West can now 'barely move' and would require a wheelchair and dedicated officers to evacuate her from HMP New Hall in the event of a fire, according to an insider. Staff are said to be unhappy that the unusual plan 'creates paperwork' and may place officers at risk. She makes almost no trips outside and is confined to her wing. The source says she 'does not have long left' and has accepted that she will die in prison.

West was jailed in 1995 for murdering 10 women and girls with husband Fred.

She was moved from Durham in 2019 after Joanna Dennehy plotted to kill her.

Prison Service: 'She will rightly spend the rest of her life behind bars.'