Murder probe launched at HMP Whitemoor
A prisoner has died at HMP Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire and another inmate has been arrested on suspicion of his murder
Last updated 14th Apr 2025
A prisoner in his 60s has died at HMP Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire and another inmate has been arrested on suspicion of his murder.
Police were called to the high-security prison near March at about 4.10pm on Saturday 13 April after the man’s body was found inside the facility.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “We were called at about 4.10pm yesterday (13 April) following the discovery of the body of a man in his 60s at HMP Whitemoor near March. A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. An investigation is ongoing.”
The deceased has been identified as John Mansfield, who was serving a life sentence of 25 years. He was sentenced in 2007 for the murder of his 63-year-old neighbour, HM Prison Whitemoor is a Category A men's prison near March, Cambridgeshire, England, operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service, in a drug-fuelled attack and had 75 other previous convictions.
The Ministry of Justice said: “A prisoner has died at HMP Whitemoor and our condolences are with his family. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”
HMP Whitemoor is a Category A men’s prison that holds some of the most dangerous offenders in the country. It has capacity for around 458 inmates, most of whom are serving long-term or life sentences.