What’s inside Erin Patterson’s prison cell? New details about life behind bars for the mushroom murderer

On July 7, 2025, Erin Patterson was whisked into a prisoner transport truck in Morwell after a jury returned a guilty verdict over the death of Don and Gail Patterson, and Heather Wilkinson.

Patterson, becoming in that “guilty” moment, a convicted triple murderer, and was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, her in-law that miraculously survived a beef Wellington lunch, which had been laced with death cap mushrooms.

Since July, the world had not seen or heard from Patterson, other than through accounts of former prisoners who claimed to been around her during her time at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women’s maximum security prison in Ravenhall, in Melbourne’s west.

On Monday, the world got the latest instalment in the sage of the “Mushroom Killer”, learning what life has been like for her behind bars.

It should be noted that Patterson has been behind bars since November 2023, however, as revealed in court on Monday, the conditions she has lived in have been more isolated over time.

Jennifer Hosking, the assistant commissioner for Corrections Victoria, gave evidence revealing who Patterson has “access” to and what is inside her jail cell.

What is inside Erin Patterson’s jail cell?

Patterson was described by Ms Hosking as a “keen crocheter”.

Inside the killer’s cell, she has a TV, room for her personal items, wool for crocheting, a computer, her own pillows, blankets she made, a hair straightener and a fan, Ms Hosking revealed.

She also has access to a “small” courtyard, which is only opened on request, and can access a lounge area with a treadmill.

Patterson legally has minimal access to certain services, including a “leisure centre”, a library and chaplain services, Ms Hosking told the court.

However, a unique hangover from the COVID-19 era is preventing Patterson from accessing some of those services.

Patterson’s defence team, led by Collin Mandy SC, told the court that the mushroom killer had been unable to access exercise equipment, the library or social settings.

Part of this, according to Ms Hosking, is due to staffing issues. During the COVID-19 lockdowns in Victoria, less women went into the maximum security prison. That led to less officers being recruited, something she claims Corrections Victoria is addressing through a “recruitment drive”.

Due to low staffing, she said prison “lockdowns” had increased since mid 2024.

Patterson’s “notoriety” has also allegedly played a role in keeping her away from the library, lounge and gym.

Ms Hoskings said due to the intense media attention Patterson drew, she had moved between the Gordon unit, which is restricted movement, and the Murray protection unit.

Since July 9 2024, Patterson has been held within the Gordon unit, other than when she was in Morwell for her trial.

Due to the isolation involved when being held in the Gordon unit, a review is required when a person stays there longer that 15 days.

For Patterson’s safety, and the safety of other prisoners, Corrections Victoria determined it was most suitable for her to stay in the Gordon.

There, she has access to one other prisoner. That person is a woman who is being held in custody over terrorism, and Patterson would only be able to communicate with her through the mesh fence of a connected courtyard. That woman, Ms Hosking said, had previously attacked other prisoners.

Mr Mandy revealed that Patterson has allegedly never spoken with the prisoner.

There is one other prisoner that Patterson could have contact with, Ms Hosking said, however, the prison had not yet allowed this over “safety” concerns.

The two prisoners were not identified in court.

How Erin Patterson spends her days in prison

Ms Hosking confirmed Patterson spends around 22 hours a day in complete isolation.

This has been ongoing for the approximately 400 days she has been held in the Gordon unit.

She has not yet communicated with other prisoners through the cell intercom system, as the requires both parties to agree for access to each other.

Patterson’s custody in the Gordon unit is reviewed on a monthly basis, however, Ms Hoskings said she could not say if her place there was “permanent” or if she would ever be removed.

In court there was conjecture over if Patterson had access chaplaincy services. Ms Hosking’s affidavit said she had not, however, Mr Mandy said Patterson had.

Mr Mandy also claimed that when Patterson is asked if she wants to use to lounge, leisure centre of library, she says yes, however, this only rarely eventuates in access being granted.

The isolation of Patterson became a major topic towards the end of her pre-sentencing hearing on Monday, with Justice Christopher Beale holding “concern” for her.

“Her notoriety won’t diminish,” Justice Beale said,

When the crown suggested in time that it would, he mentioned TV adaptations already in the works relating to Patterson’s crimes.

Patterson faces a life sentence, however, could be given a 30 year sentence with parole.

Mr Mandy, through raising concern for Patterson’s well-being spending the next 30-years in near total isolation, argued for a parole period to be fixed to her sentence.

Patterson, who maintains her innocence, sat silently in court throughout the day, even when deeply emotional victim impact statements were read aloud to her.

Erin Patterson will return to court on Monday, September 8, when Justice Beale will deliver the highly anticipated sentence for the mushroom killer.