BROADMOOR

A News of the World investigation exposed the luxuries showered on Britain's most odious thugs and killers. These are the secrets the government tried to keep hidden behind reinforced concrete and toughened steel because honest taxpayers would be amazed at the way tens of millions of pounds are being spent. But for the first time it is revealed that the secure hospital whose ‘patients' include Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe, Stockwell Strangler Kenneth Erskine and Soho Nailbomber David Copeland, has:

WATER BEDS in a softly-lit ‘snoozealeum' so mass murderers can while away the hours.

DVD PLAYERS and colour TVs in virtually all bedrooms, remote-controlled so inmates can relax in bed.

PLAYSTATIONS and remote-control cars on wards allow the warped and plain insane to hone their reflexes.

A SPORTS CENTRE costing £4million and housing a gym whose name is the ultimate insult to every maimed victim of Broadmoor's psychopaths..the Wellness Centre.

A CRAZY GOLF COURSE in the grounds.

PERSONAL KEYS to bedrooms (never called ‘cells') so inmates can lock their doors from the inside.

And as Broadmoor is now funded from the NHS budget, all these luxuries are taking money that could be diverted to mainstream hospitals. Security is a shambles and sexual assault is commonplace. In one outrageous lapse, paedophile Gary Nuttall was able to TELEPHONE his young victim from a Broadmoor payphone! The dossier on Broadmoor was compiled with the help of a staff member so disgusted that he turned whistleblower. "Word has gone round the Prison Service of how cushy it is inside Broadmoor," he said, "Criminals are faking madness to get in here."

The Broadmoor day begins in a leisurely fashion as ‘patients' (never, ever insulted with the term ‘prisoner') wake up and switch on the TV so they can watch from bed. Staff are powerless to prevent patients, including sex offenders, displaying nude pictures on walls. One paedophile who abused little boys has decorated his room with photos cut from a gay porn mag. Breakfast is served between 8 and 8.30am with a choice of boiled eggs, cereal and toast. There are also vegetarian, vegan and halal options. On special days, such as Christmas, a hearty full English is on the menu.

On some wards there is no set time for leaving the cell, so many return to bed and laze all day. On other wards patients must be out of their rooms by 9am for medication. Naturally, there are no prescription fees, they are reserved for the law-abiding on the outside. After breakfast and medication, patients engage in a range of activities from 9.30am to midday. At the Patient Education Centre patients study a range of subjects and take GCSEs, NVQs, and degrees. In the outside world students are paying huge tuition fees. Inside Broadmoor it's all free of charge.

In the more secure units of Broadmoor, a group called Recreational Therapy Services come to the wards and do artwork with the patients, or play Scrabble, computer games and pool, or listen to DVDs. Some also play with radio-controlled cars along the floors. Which all serves to pass the time until lunch. As in restaurants, diners choose from menus. Choices include chicken, pork, sausage casserole and potato croquettes. On Sundays there is a full roast dinner with beef or chicken, roast potatoes and vegetables. Desserts include apple pie, gateaux, cheesecake, ice cream and fruit.

From 1pm to 4pm there are more activities. In the grounds are a football pitch, cricket ground, tennis court...and a crazy golf course that would grace a holiday centre. Broadmoor also unveiled a £4million sports centre housing three units, the Wellness gym, sports hall, and swimming pool. The gym has 11 resistance machines, four running machines, three bikes, two cross-trainer machines, and four rowers. The sports hall has facilities for badminton, tennis, football, volleyball, netball, basketball and short mat bowls. The heated swimming pool is used for aqua aerobics, lap training, and swimming lessons.

And if all this gets too much, there is always the new ‘snoozealum', a room with waterbeds, soft lighting and running water sounds. At 4.30 patients go back to their wards to freshen up before dinner. This is followed by the offer of more medication before evening activities get under way. The central hall of Broadmoor hosts discos which, until recently, were mixed, leading to a number of sex scandals. A survey of 28 female patients in 2001 revealed 1,008 cases of verbal abuse; 64 cases of sexual harassment; 56 of sexual abuse; six cases of consensual sex; and five rapes. (Source: News of the World)

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