Inmates at Alice Springs Correctional Centre look up to murderer Matej Vanko

Corrections believe he is a manipulator and nurses have described him as intelligent, yet chilling. But inmates see notorious murderer Matej Vanko as a leader

Former Alice Springs remand prisoner Christopher Campion. PICTURE: Supplied

Corrections believe he is a manipulator and nurses have described him as intelligent, yet chilling. But inmates see notorious murderer Matej Vanko as a leader.

Former remand prisoner Christopher Campion, 39, has provided a rare insight into sharing G Block with the “cold and calculated” killer in the aftermath of the Alice Springs Correctional Centre protest last week.

Matej Vanko pictured with a rifle.

He labelled Vanko, who was the ringleader when eight prisoners climbed on to a roof on Tuesday, the “alpha male of the white guys”.

“Vanko is very intelligent, very polite — a leader in the most positive way.

“He is a teacher in there for English and maths. His attitude is not aggressive or overly assertive,” he said.

Campion, who has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1991, spent 64 days on remand before he was bailed on June 3 this year.

He is currently facing charges of aggravated robbery, in the Northern Territory Supreme Court, after allegedly punching a man at Blacken Music Festival near Alice Springs and stealing his shoes.

Vanko helps deliver the “QuickSmart” program, which assists prisoners with low levels of literacy.

He has also completed an entry program through Queensland University to allow him to enrol in a degree.

Campion said Vanko has an interest in motorbikes and is a “very good” chess player.

“Vanko is respected across the board through his actions because he is happy to help anyone, happy to give advice, talk to anyone and really helps a lot of the young guys with fitness and life skills,” he said.

In 2012, Vanko used a Japanese ceremonial knife in the execution-style slaying of Donald Stevens at Howard Springs. After killing Mr Stevens, Vanko shot and stabbed his two dogs, before holding Mr Steven’s sister Nolene Stevens hostage for several hours after tying her legs and handcuffing her wrists.

The murder was described as “cold and callous” by former Chief Justice Trevor Riley.