The mushroom triple-killer has never been known to be violent in prison. But one thing has peeved those behind bars with her.
www.theage.com.au
Hobbies, heckles and love letters: How Erin Patterson’s life is unfolding behind bars
The triple-murderer was stony-faced when the jury read their verdict out. In prison, her demeanour changed.
By
Chris Vedelago
July 11, 2025
She doesn’t curse or spit at the guards or bash anyone. But she has put inmates and guards off with her constant complaints, which are often taken as showing her complete lack of awareness of where she is.
“Her cell is too hot or too cold: ‘What are you going to do about it?’ she’d say. It was complaint after complaint after complaint,” says a guard who formerly worked in her unit.
“It’s not a hotel; it’s a prison. Yes, she wasn’t convicted yet. But it’s still a prison. It’s not meant to be customised for your comfort.”
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Only one of these online mates would turn up in person – except as witnesses for the prosecution – to stand with Patterson during the trial: Alison Prior.
They met for the first time after charges were laid, and Prior would be granted permission to approach Patterson in the dock to speak to her.
Patterson had been in a maximum security unit for her safety since she was remanded in November 2023 but was moved into the special protection unit last year.
For almost 24 hours a day, she would be left staring at four walls – and
her brief of evidence – cut off from almost all human contact except for her guards.