The prison nightmare awaiting Vickrum Digwa, the man convicted of murdering university student Henry Nowak, reportedly began the moment the heavy cell door closed behind him. After arriving at HMP Frankland, Digwa was said to have been overwhelmed by fear, with prison insiders claiming that his new life behind bars was already filled with anxiety, threats, and the knowledge that he had become a high-profile target among certain inmates. Sources described his first night in custody as one of extreme distress, far removed from the confidence and attitude he displayed during the police investigation.

According to a prison service source, Digwa arrived at Frankland in a state of panic after spending several weeks in segregation. The insider claimed that the convicted killer was “literally shaking” and appeared convinced that he might not survive his first night inside. The source said the contrast between the frightened prisoner seen behind bars and the confidence shown in police bodycam footage was striking.

After his period in isolation ended, Digwa was reportedly moved back onto a prison wing but remained under close observation because of the potential dangers surrounding him. Prison officials are said to have placed him on a special monitoring list due to both the recent violence inside Frankland and the serious nature of his own conviction.

The source explained that Digwa’s status as a notorious prisoner has made him vulnerable. Some inmates, they claimed, may attempt to attack him physically or verbally simply because of who he is and the attention surrounding his case. For certain prisoners, attacking someone with Digwa’s reputation could become a way to gain status among other inmates.

The insider also suggested that Digwa’s own appearance and behavior may increase the risks he faces. They described him as appearing frightened, with nervous body language that could make him seem vulnerable in an environment where weakness can attract unwanted attention.

“I have no idea whether he was considered a tough person outside prison,” the source reportedly said, “but inside Frankland he appears terrified most of the time, and that can make someone more likely to be targeted.”

Life inside prison is expected to be extremely difficult for Digwa, particularly because of the public anger surrounding the crime for which he was convicted. Prison insiders stated that he will have to adapt to the reality of incarceration and accept that his circumstances mean he is unlikely to experience an easy sentence.

Frankland has recently experienced serious violence, including attacks on high-profile prisoners. Inmates convicted of crimes considered especially unacceptable within prison culture, such as offences involving children or vulnerable victims, have often faced hostility from other prisoners. Recent examples include convicted offenders such as Ian Watkins, the former Lostprophets singer, who was killed in prison after being attacked by another inmate.

While prisoners often single out certain categories of offenders, sources claimed that Digwa’s case places him among those who could face particular danger because of the circumstances surrounding his conviction.

During his trial at Southampton Crown Court, jurors heard details of the events that led to the death of Henry Nowak in December 2025. The university student had been walking home after a night out when he encountered Digwa. Prosecutors said that Digwa was carrying an eight-inch dagger in a sheath around his neck, a weapon he later claimed he was legally entitled to carry for religious reasons as a Sikh.

The court heard that an argument developed between the two men before Digwa removed the knife and stabbed Nowak in the chest. Prosecutors said he then inflicted several additional wounds, including injuries to Nowak’s back as the student attempted to escape.

Following the attack, Digwa was accused of creating a false version of events in which he portrayed himself as the victim and suggested that Nowak had been the aggressor. When police officers arrived, Digwa and members of his family reportedly repeated this account while failing to reveal that he had stabbed Nowak multiple times.

Police bodycam footage later showed the tragic final moments of Henry Nowak’s life. The student was seen on the ground, telling officers that he had been stabbed and struggling to breathe. One officer, who is now reportedly under investigation by the police watchdog over the response, initially questioned whether Nowak had actually suffered a stabbing.

The court heard that Nowak was read his rights before officers realized that he had become unresponsive. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Digwa was eventually charged with murder and possession of a knife in a public place. His mother was also charged with assisting an offender. Following a two-week trial in May, both were found guilty.

The case sparked widespread public anger, not only because of the killing itself but also because of the criticism surrounding the police response and the allegations that Digwa attempted to mislead investigators. However, the tragedy was also used by far-right groups to push anti-immigration messages, despite the wishes of Nowak’s family that his death should not be turned into a political issue.

Although some political activists attempted to use the case to support claims about unequal policing, it was noted that Digwa was born in Britain. The controversy surrounding the case continued to grow as public debate intensified, while inside prison walls, Digwa faced a completely different battle: surviving life as one of the most recognizable and controversial inmates in the country.