Sue Neill-Fraser: New details of convicted murderer’s life inside prison

Two ex-prisoners who met Sue Neill-Fraser in jail have revealed how the convicted murderer is passing the time and the special things she does for her fellow inmates.

Carley Watkins and Monique Lynch, who both spent time in Risdon Prison with Sue Neill-Fraser and who are now both members of her support group. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

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CONVICTED murderer Sue Neill-Fraser is much loved and respected by her fellow prisoners, making pavlovas on birthdays and giving legal advice, two former inmates have revealed.

Carley Watkins and Monique Lynch have become dedicated supporters of Neill-Fraser since spending considerable time with the 66-year-old in Risdon’s Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison.

They have joined a group calling for an inquiry into Neill-Fraser’s trial and conviction for murdering her partner, Hobart radiation medicine specialist Bob Chappell, in 2009.

Sue Neill-Fraser leaves the Supreme Court in 2016. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Ms Lynch, who was released seven months ago after serving a year in jail, said she would “do nearly anything” for Neill-Fraser in return for the support, inspiration and legal advice she received from the older woman.

“She helped everyone. Even people who don’t show her the respect she deserves, she’ll still help them, no matter what,” Ms Lynch said.

“Her tenacity and the inspiration that she was able to give me when I was having a bad day. I would look at her and think ‘What if that was my mum, how is she getting through it?’.”

Ms Lynch said Neill-Fraser was in charge of the Risdon garden and would rally her fellow prisoners to make pavlovas on inmates’ birthdays.

“She’s very highly respected in there,” Ms Lynch said.

“If someone swears I’m always like ‘Shhhh, Sue’s here,” because she should be respected.”

Ms Watkins said she had been in and out of prison over the past several years, serving about three years in total alongside Neill-Fraser.

“She’s not one to sit there saying ‘I’m innocent’. You make your mind up for yourself,” Ms Watkins said.

“She’s a big part of the courses and learning in there, she makes sure it happens.”

The women are the newest members of the Sue Neill-Fraser support group, which held a vigil on Parliament Lawns in Hobart on Saturday marking 4000 days since the grandmother was arrested and detained.

“I will be here for any and every support day for Sue,” Ms Lynch said.

“She deserves that much considering what she did, not just for me, but for a lot of women in the jail.”

Group secretary Rosie Crumpton-Crook, a retired social worker who knew Mr Chappell when they both worked at the Royal Hobart Hospital, said it was now four-and-a-half years since Neill-Fraser submitted her application for an appeal.

Rosie Crumpton-Cook. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“When you look at how quickly Cardinal Pell’s appeal process was pushed through, you have to ask, why is it taking so long? There doesn’t appear to be a sense of urgency,” Ms Crumpton-Crook said.

Neill-Fraser’s second appeal bid scheduled for this month has been delayed until November due to the COVID-19 situation in Victoria, where most of her legal team resides.

“If she loses her appeal we will continue to campaign until there’s an independent inquiry,” Ms Crumpton-Crook said.