Fri, 20 September 2024 03:07:08am
Related Tags: whole life sentence marriage ban, Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, Shabana Mahmood justice reform, heinous criminals marriage rights, UK prison marriage law
Heinous Killers Banned from Marrying in Prison Under New Law
Heinous Killers Banned from Marrying in Prison Under New Law
In a landmark decision to uphold justice and support victims, the UK government has enacted a new law that bans the worst murderers serving whole life sentences from marrying or entering civil partnerships while behind bars. This move aims to ensure that these heinous criminals do not enjoy the life events they denied their victims and to maintain public confidence in the justice system.
As of today, August 2, 2024, prisoners serving whole life orders, meaning they will never be released, will no longer have the right to get married or enter a civil partnership. This new measure, signed into law by Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, is part of the 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.
- Whole Life Order prisoners now blocked from marrying behind bars
- Government enacts new law to end torment for victims and their families
- Marriage and civil partnership ban comes into force today
Protecting Victims and Families
The primary goal of this new law is to prevent the most heinous criminals from enjoying significant life events, such as marriage or civil partnerships, which they callously took from their victims. This measure is designed to protect the families of victims from the trauma of witnessing the perpetrators of such brutal crimes celebrating life milestones.
"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," said Shabana Mahmood. "That is why I have acted as soon as possible to stop these marriages and give victims the support they deserve."
Ensuring Justice and Public Confidence
Prior to the enactment of this law, prisoners could make formal applications for marriage or civil partnerships, which could only be refused by a prison Governor on the grounds of security concerns. Now, with this automatic ban in place, the justice system aims to treat the horrific crimes of these individuals with the severity they deserve and maintain confidence in the justice system.
The Lord Chancellor will retain the right to permit ceremonies in the most exceptional circumstances, ensuring that the law is applied with fairness and discretion.
Whole Life Orders and Serious Offences
Whole life orders are reserved for the most exceptionally serious offences, such as serial or child murders involving substantial premeditation or sexual or sadistic conduct. By implementing this new measure, the government aims to reinforce the severity of these crimes and the life sentences that accompany them.
Key Points:
- New law bans prisoners serving whole life orders from marrying or entering civil partnerships.
- The measure is part of the Victims and Prisoners Act, aimed at strengthening victim support and justice system oversight.
- The law protects victims' families from the trauma of seeing heinous criminals enjoy significant life events.
- Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood emphasizes the importance of supporting victims and maintaining public confidence in the justice system.
- Whole life orders are reserved for exceptionally serious offences, ensuring the most severe crimes are met with appropriate legal consequences.
