The ban applies to prisoners convicted of exceptionally serious offences, such as serial or child murders which involved substantial premeditation or sexual or sadistic conduct, and who will never be released.
Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood 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.’
Previously, prisoners made a formal application and could only be refused by a prison governor on grounds of security.
The ban was commenced by statutory instrument, under the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, which enshrines the principles of the Victims’ Code into law. The Lord Chancellor retains the right to permit ceremonies in exceptional circumstances.
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