Inside the ‘pink’ prison where Arthur’s murderous stepmother is detained

The prison where Emma Tustin is detained allows inmates to decorate their own cells (Image: PA / HM Inspectorate of Prisons)

The prison where Arthur’s killer is being held has brightly decorated cells and the inmates are being treated ‘respectfully’, according to a report.

Emma Tustin, 32, is serving 29 years for murdering the young man and was taken to HMP Peterborough in Cambridgeshire to begin her sentence just over a week ago.

Sources inside the jail have said she is being held in solitary confinement after a fellow inmate poisoned her food with salt in retaliation for Arthur’s death.

But a report from the Prison Inspectorate earlier this year found that the prison was ‘safe, quiet and orderly’.

Unlike many other prisons across the country, the facility received a positive review despite the fact that the visit took place during the pandemic.

Prisoners had been kept in their cells for up to 23 hours a day to minimize the risk of spreading Covid.

Although this gave rise to several mental health problems, it had managed to keep the number of cases down and violent incidents were on a downward trend.

Despite this, 19% of the women felt insecure at the time of the visit, and a third reported having been victims of staff or other women.

Arthur was subjected to an ‘abuse campaign’ (Image: PA)

One of the cells in the prison had been painted pink by its occupant

Tustin has become one of the more high-profile prisoners being held at the site, which has room for nearly 400 inmates.

She was found guilty of murder after a court heard how she and Arthur’s father, Thomas Hughes, 29, subjected him to a ‘cruelty campaign’.

The youngster finally suffered an ‘insurmountable’ brain injury after being beaten by Tustin in the hallway of their home in Solihull.

The report, based on a visit to HMP Peterborough by inspectors in March 2021, provides an insight into the daily life behind bars.

Another colorful cell in the report

Tustin faces 29 years in prison for murder (prison: PA)

Living and communal areas were reported to be clean, but shower areas were not said to be private enough, which led some inmates to refuse the option of washing daily.

Women were able to personalize their cells by decorating them with colors of their choice, and this was reportedly ‘appreciated’.

The report said: ‘Many (cells) we saw were painted in bright colors, which women said made them feel more at home.

‘There was sufficient space for women sharing cells designed for two people, but for the small number who shared cells designed for one person, living conditions were cramped. Toilet screening was inadequate, especially in shared cells. ‘

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The inmates were given access to electric kettles and televisions, while a mobile delivery service allowed them to request books and DVDs.

The gym was closed and the training offer was ‘limited’ due to the pandemic, but it is said that things were improving.

Nearly two-thirds of the prisoners reported that the food they received in prison was ‘good’, and chefs provided a range of diets with healthy options.

Many prisons have remained in effective lockdown-like conditions despite easing restrictions in the outside world, although it is not known how things have changed at HMP Peterborough since March.

Tustin has been designated as a ‘vulnerable prisoner’, meaning she has no contact with other inmates and eats, washes and trains alone.

She is being kept under constant surveillance to ensure she does not injure herself, according to reports.

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