Marriage Behind Bars: Prisoners Tying the Knot as Lifers Lose Privileges
For years, some of Britain’s most notorious criminals have been able to get married behind bars, whether to fellow inmates, members of the public, or even fans. However, the new Justice Secretary has announced a crackdown on this privilege, particularly for those sentenced to a whole life order. This decision has been welcomed by victims and their families, as it means individuals like Wayne Couzens, a former Met police officer and murderer, will not be able to marry or have civil partnerships while serving their sentences.
The Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, emphasized that victims should not have to endure the torment of seeing those who committed heinous crimes enjoy moments in life that were stolen from their loved ones. As the legislation is signed into the Victims and Prisoners Act, it’s worth looking at some of the high-profile prison marriages that have taken place over the years.
Charles Bronson, known as Britain’s ‘most violent inmate,’ has been married twice behind bars. After his first wife, Irene Dunroe, he married Fatema Saira Rehman, who he met at HMP Woodhill in 2001. They divorced in 2006. In 2017, Bronson married soap actress Paula Williamson, who tragically passed away in 2019. These marriages, particularly the latter, garnered significant media attention due to the personalities involved.
Thelma Purchase, a care worker convicted of murder, was involved in a plot to kill a disabled man she was caring for. While in prison, she entered into a civil partnership with fellow inmate Tai Pilley. However, their relationship faced challenges, especially after Purchase grew close to another inmate. Pilley, previously known as Douglas Wakefield, had a violent criminal history before undergoing gender reassignment surgery.
Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, married his long-term partner Stella Morris while imprisoned at HMP Belmarsh. This union came amidst a legal battle over his possible extradition to the US. Assange’s case has been highly publicized, and his wedding to Morris was seen as a declaration of love and resilience in the face of adversity.
Serial killer Levi Bellfield has tried multiple times to get married or have a civil partnership while in prison. However, new legislation has now prevented him from doing so, given the severity of his crimes. Bellfield’s case, which includes the murders of several young women, highlights the restrictions imposed on serious offenders regarding marriage behind bars.
The new regulations regarding prison marriages are aimed at providing support and closure to victims and their families. While some may view marriage as a basic human right, the government’s decision reflects the need to prioritize the well-being of those impacted by serious crimes. Moving forward, these restrictions will help ensure that individuals serving whole life orders do not have the privilege of marrying while in prison, offering a sense of justice to victims and their loved ones.
