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In a significant move aimed at providing solace to victims and their families, the Ministry of Justice has enacted a new law today, 2 August 2024, banning prisoners serving whole life sentences from marrying or entering civil partnerships behind bars.
The new measure, signed into law by the Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, is part of the Victims and Prisoners Act. It automatically blocks prisoners serving whole life orders, which means they will never be released, from enjoying the important life events they cruelly denied their victims.
The government’s decision aims to prevent the families of victims from enduring the trauma of seeing the individuals who committed the most heinous crimes getting married or entering civil partnerships while incarcerated. This measure underscores the severity of their crimes and aims to maintain public confidence in the justice system.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated:
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.”
Previously, prisoners serving whole-life orders could apply for a marriage or civil partnership and could only be refused by a prison governor on the grounds of security concerns. The new law removes this possibility entirely, except in the most exceptional circumstances where the Lord Chancellor may permit ceremonies.
The measure is designed to treat horrific crimes with the severity they deserve, ensuring justice is served appropriately. Whole life orders are reserved for exceptionally serious offences, including serial murders and child murders that involve a substantial degree of premeditation, sexual, or sadistic conduct.
Key Points of the New Law:
- Automatic Ban: Whole life order prisoners are now automatically blocked from getting married or entering civil partnerships.
- Victims’ Support: The measure aims to provide support and relief to the families of victims by denying life events to the most heinous criminals.
- Justice System Integrity: Ensures that the justice system treats the worst crimes with the utmost severity.
- Exceptional Circumstances: The Lord Chancellor retains the right to permit ceremonies in the most exceptional circumstances.
This change is part of the broader Victims and Prisoners Act, which strengthens the oversight of how criminal justice agencies treat victims and enshrines the principles of the Victims’ Code into law.
By implementing this law, the government reinforces its commitment to supporting victims and ensuring that those who commit the most depraved crimes face the full weight of justice without any privileges that could further torment their victims’ families
