GETTING into the women's wing of Durham Prison is like entering a labyrinth of wire mesh, concrete walls, holding cells and surveillance mirrors.

I had worked hard with the Governor of the women's centre at the time, Moira Bartlett, to win her trust. Finally, in July 2001, I was allowed unprecedented access - the first time a journalist had succeeded in stepping into the notorious She Wing.

I cannot say I wasn't apprehensive, even fearful of walking into the huge open plan, three-storey wing that had been home to the most dangerous female inmates in Britain. These infamous women included Moors murderer Myra Hindley and Rosemary West, the latter of whom is still serving her sentence there.

I went through the kind of procedure a prisoner might go through, leaving my possessions at the door and being searched as I entered.

Before I could prepare myself I was confronted by the curious gaze of a group of women. I looked back and realised these must be the prisoners.

They were women you might see standing in a supermarket queue or picking their children up from school. Some looked maternal, well-fed and smiling; others looked hard-faced with tattoos and cropped hair.

I was told that the women followed a strict regime. A bell woke them up first thing and some had to go to classes through the day while others had jobs, such as computer work and kitchen duties, for which they were paid a small amount.

I was given a tour around the wing. Room by room, I peered in with curiosity. Their cells were immaculate and most inmates had their walls covered in cards celebrating birthdays and Christmases from years ago. They were cards which had been lovingly kept - a poignant reminder of the real world outside.

In the following few weeks of access, I understood that many of these women who had committed evil crimes were also themselves victims, often of abusive relationships, broken homes, and drug dependency.

As I stared into one of the computer rooms, my eyes met with those of a kindly looking woman who was wearing huge spectacles and working quietly by herself.

At the time I didn't recognise her, but a chill went through me when I was finally told that this inmate was indeed Rosemary West.

I was told by the guards that West had been left isolated for years by the other women, who often made fun of her.

Maybe now there will be one other woman who will be as notorious as she is.