.. copy and pasted from "Daily Mail" .. article written by Duncan Murray and Kylie Stevens.. .. nightingale mist the second of planet apocalips: ..".. sob sob sob sob.. poor, poor Erin Patterson.."..

Mushroom murderer Erin Patterson's prison 'torture' as supporters say she is frightened and hated by fellow inmates See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source By DUNCAN MURRAY FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS and KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 20:10 EDT, 11 September 2026 | Updated: 20:42 EDT, 11 September 2026 e-mail 44 View comments Mushroom murderer Erin Patterson is being kept in near-constant isolation, leaving her frightened and, supporters fear, at risk of psychological decline. A prisoner rights group is advocating on the triple murderer's behalf for her to receive peer counselling to improve her mental wellbeing at no cost to the state. Patterson's conditions at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, west of Melbourne, involve being confined to a cell for a minimum of 22 hours a day and having approved contact with just one other prisoner through a wire mesh during limited yard time. symbol 00:00 00:00 Read More Advocacy group Justice Action has called the treatment tantamount to torture, invoking United Nations rules named after Nelson Mandela, which state a person should not spend more than 15 consecutive days in solitary confinement. The group is yet to be allowed direct contact with Patterson, but says information from other prisoners in the same unit suggests she is in a poor mental state. Justice Action co-ordinator Brett Collins, who is a former inmate, said Patterson was entitled to be treated like any other prisoner and to serve her time constructively. 'She's a frightened woman, understandably so,' he told AAP on Friday. 'She's actually been now isolated for such a long time, and she already had those disorders before she was convicted, so now we've heard she's unused to people being around her. Mushroom murderer Erin Patterson is being kept in near-constant isolation, leaving her frightened and, supporters fear, at risk of psychological decline + 5 View gallery Mushroom murderer Erin Patterson is being kept in near-constant isolation, leaving her frightened and, supporters fear, at risk of psychological decline Prisoner rights group Justice Action has called the treatment tantamount to torture + 5 View gallery Prisoner rights group Justice Action has called the treatment tantamount to torture The organisation's co-ordinator Brett Collins said Patterson was entitled to be treated like any other prisoner and to serve her time constructively + 5 View gallery The organisation's co-ordinator Brett Collins said Patterson was entitled to be treated like any other prisoner and to serve her time constructively TRENDING How village women are fighting the arrival of male migrants: HARDMAN 2.5k viewing now Truth about the Falling Man: Sister tells heartbreaking full story 27.6k viewing now Harry and Meghan's autumn diary: REBECCA ENGLISH 2k viewing now 'That's the sort of behaviour that causes permanent damage. It's torture, actually.' Justice Action is proposing Patterson be permitted a trained peer support mentor to help address and mitigate the psychiatric risks, which it would offer at no cost to taxpayers. The now 51-year-old was convicted of murdering three former extended relatives by serving them beef Wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms at a lunch in July 2023. In sentencing Patterson, Justice Christopher Beale made her eligible for parole after serving 33 years behind bars, citing in part the extended period she was expected to spend in solitary confinement due to the risks she faced from other prisoners. Mr Collins said Patterson's chosen method of murder could make her particularly unpopular with other female prisoners. 'What they're arguing is that other prisoners are hating her because of what she did,' he said. 'There's a women's expectation as well, that the family that ate with her trusted her and that there was a breach of that trust.' A spokesperson for the Department of Justice and Community Safety said while it does not comment on individual prisoners or their placements, all prisoners have regular contact with prison staff, health professionals, lawyers and chaplains. Mr Collins said Patterson is frightened and hated by other inmates + 5 View gallery Mr Collins said Patterson is frightened and hated by other inmates It was revealed this week that the self-confessed 'binge eater' was recently approved to receive weight-loss drug Ozempic + 5 View gallery It was revealed this week that the self-confessed 'binge eater' was recently approved to receive weight-loss drug Ozempic The comments about Patterson's mental health come after it was revealed this week that the self-confessed 'binge eater' was recently approved to receive weight-loss drug Ozempic. The decision was reportedly made because she is 'isolated and unable to exercise' while in solitary confinement. 'Staff safety is a huge concern, yet management appear more concerned about the weight of a convicted killer,' an upset prison source told the Herald Sun. The weight-loss jab costs $134 a month but is heavily subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for eligible patients with type two diabetes, reducing the cost to just $25. Unsubsidised weight-loss jabs such as Mounjaro cost anywhere from $285 to $700 per month, depending on the prescribed dose. According to the Department of Justice and Community Safety, inmates' access to weight-loss drugs is based on medical advice from a doctor. 'Prescriptions are only given by clinicians when there's a clear medical need – like preventing serious conditions such as type two diabetes,' a spokesperson said. Patterson appealed her conviction on seven grounds at a recent Court of Appeal hearing, including a claim that there was a 'substantial miscarriage of justice' during the 11-week trial. One appeal ground argues Patterson was forced to give evidence at trial because the trial judge excluded mushroom photos. The Director of Public Prosecutions also appealed the length of Patterson's sentence, arguing it was 'manifestly inadequate'. They want a full life sentence without any possibility of release. Justices Stephen McLeish, Lesley Taylor and Peter Kidd will hand down their decision on the two appeals at a later date.