George Pell still in 23-hour lockdown amid fears for safety

George Pell remains in 23-hour lockdown in solitary confinement to keep him safe from attacks from prisoner child sexual abuse victims. Sources say the gruelling conditions are starting to affect his health.

The van carrying George Pell returns to Melbourne Assessment Prison after his failed appeal. Picture: AAP

George Pell remains in maximum security solitary confinement amid concerns there are no immediate plans to move him to a mainstream prison.

Pell has spent 184 days in 23-hour lockdown at the Melbourne Assessment Prison since he was taken into custody in February.

Sources close to the Cardinal say the lack of natural light and fresh air is starting to affect his health with growing concerns about his deterioration.

George Pell is led away in a prison van after losing his appeal. Picture: Alex Coppel

He is serving a six-year jail sentence, with a three year and eight month minimum, for the sexual abuse of two choirboys at St Patrick’s Cathedral while he was Archbishop in the mid 1990s.

There was wide speculation Pell would be moved to a mainstream prison after the Court of Appeal last week dismissed his bid to overturn his conviction.

Melbourne Assessment Prison on Spencer St. Picture: Ian Currie

However sources close to Pell say a potential transfer has not been discussed with him, and he remains under the close supervision of four guards.

Pell, who celebrated his 78th birthday this year in custody, suffers from a long-term heart condition and had double knee surgery late last year.

Prison doctors expressed concerns for his health soon after he was taken into custody.

They wanted him moved to either Port Phillip Prison or the Hopkins Correctional Centre at Ararat where the majority of the state’s sex offenders are housed.

However it is understood there are grave concerns about potential attacks on Pell, one of the state’s most high profile prisoners, if he is not kept isolated from other prisoners.

It is feared he could come under attack from prisoner child sexual abuse victims for his perceived failure to stop child abuse within the church.

Pell was left shattered by last week’s Court of Appeal decision.

Visitors have remarked that he has appeared considerably less resilient since the decision.

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He had remained in good spirits because of the prospect of being acquitted, but has now lost hope of proving his maintained innocence.

He has spent his days praying and writing to keep busy.

He is allowed visitors just twice a week, and they must come from a list of approved visitors.

The list is understood to be constantly changing, with Pell recently requesting to see certain close friends.

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