Nottingham Killer Valdo Calocane Among Criminals to Lose Benefits in Secure Hospitals

Criminals held in high-security psychiatric hospitals, including Valdo Calocane, convicted of the Nottingham triple murder, will no longer be eligible for certain benefits under new government regulations. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed the policy change, stating it will halt benefits for individuals serving criminal sentences in mental health settings.

The move follows a concerted campaign by the families of Calocane's victims – Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates. Their advocacy highlighted the perceived injustice of individuals in secure detention receiving state benefits.

Currently, offenders sentenced to hospital orders under the Mental Health Act could continue receiving benefits such as Universal Credit. The new rules, expected to take effect in the autumn, aim to close this perceived loophole. While the DWP has not specified which benefits will be affected, the focus appears to be on those received by individuals deemed to be serving a custodial sentence, albeit within a medical framework.

Critics of existing arrangements argue that public funds should not support individuals convicted of serious crimes, even when detained for mental health treatment. This policy adjustment reflects a political response to public and victim-led pressure regarding the perceived incongruity of benefit payments in such circumstances.