Accused poisoner Erin Patterson moved to 'protected unit' in prison

Accused poisoner Erin Patterson has reportedly been moved to a protected unit in a Victorian prison as she awaits trial.

The Herald Sun has cited a prison insider who claimed Patterson had been moved to the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre's protected wing, for protection from other inmates.

It's believed she could be in a unit that includes a shower, toilet, desk, closet, and perhaps even access to a kitchen.

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Patterson was charged with three counts of murder last November after the deaths of her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66.

All three died in hospital days after eating a meal containing deadly mushrooms at Patterson's Leongatha home, in South Gippsland, on July 29 last year.

She is also accused of five counts of attempted murder, including four alleged attempts to kill her ex-husband Simon.

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Police have alleged Patterson first attempted to murder Simon between November 16 and 17, 2021.

She is then accused of her ex-husband's attempted murder in 2022, between May 25 and 27, and on September 6.

It's further alleged she attempted to kill Simon at the July 29 lunch.

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The fifth attempted murder charge relates to Heather Wilkinson's husband Ian, 68, a pastor who spent months recovering in hospital after the meal that killed his wife.

He gave his first sermon since that ordeal last month.

Patterson will return to court in May this year.