The worst murderers serving whole life sentences no longer have
the right to get married behind bars as a new law comes into
force today (Friday 02 August).
Prisoners serving whole life orders – which means they will never
be released – will now be automatically blocked from getting
married or entering a civil partnership after the new Lord
Chancellor signed a measure in the Victims and Prisoners Act into
law.
This will deny the most heinous criminals from enjoying the
important life events they callously took from their victims,
while preventing families from the trauma of seeing them getting
married or entering civil partnerships.
It will also ensure that their horrific crimes are treated with
the severity they deserve and maintain confidence in the justice
system.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, , said:
“Victims should not be tormented by seeing those who commit the
most depraved crimes enjoy the moments in life that were stolen
from their loved ones.
“That is why I have acted as soon as possible to stop these
marriages and give victims the support they deserve.”
Prior to these new laws coming into force, these prisoners could
make a formal application for marriage or a civil partnership and
could only be refused by a prison Governor on the grounds of
security concerns.
The measure is part of the Victims and Prisoners Act which
strengthens oversight of how criminal justice agencies treat
victims and enshrines the principles of the Victims' Code into
law.
The Lord Chancellor will retain the right to permit ceremonies in
the most exceptional circumstances.
Whole life orders are reserved for exceptionally serious
offences, such as serial or child murders which involved a
substantial degree of premeditation or sexual or sadistic
conduct.
ENDS.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The prisoner marriage provisions of the Victims and Prisoners
Act were commenced via a statutory instrument.
