A WOMAN has revealed that for her entire 10-year relationship with her husband, he has been in prison, meaning that they have only been able to spend a total of 50 days together.
Carla is married to Erik, a man who was sent to jail 13 years ago for attempted murder.
The couple met when Erik was already in prison, meaning that they have never been able to enjoy a normal relationship.
When the couple first met, Carla's cousin was dating Erik's friend and the cousin asked Carla if she could put her in contact with Erik.
Carla declined, but Erik then wrote to her, and the two quickly fell in love.
"It's not every day that you meet the love of your life and he's incarcerated," she told Love Don't Judge.
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Carla said that she never pictured herself with an inmate as nobody in her family has ever been to prison.
"I have my doubts, because you never know," she said.
After the couple had been together for three years, they decided to tie the knot, in an intimate ceremony inside the prison.
The wedding was only attended by Carla's cousin, as her parents do not approve of the union, but she decided to proceed regardless.
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Her mum didn't talk to her for a whole month after the wedding, and has shared concerns about the fact that Erik is in prison for violent crimes.
However, Carla believes that her husbands crimes do not "define him."
Being married to a man behind bars has many struggles, and Carla often gets jealous when she sees couples out and about on dates, as she and Erik have never been able to do this.
"I just look forward to my one phone call," she said.
Carla is only allowed to call Erik for 15 minutes a day, meaning that she is often unable to fully update him on her daily life.
However, he will soon be getting out of prison, and can't wait to take Carla out on a romantic date.
UK Prison Brides
- Tracey Bottomley married double murderer Ernest Otto Smith in the US after meeting through a prison pen pal initiative. Tracey, from West Yorks, knew he had been given a life sentence with no possibility of parole
- Rebecca Short, from Oxfordshire, told her family she was on holiday in the US in 2022. Little did they know she was marrying double murderer Manuel Ovate Jr, who was on death row
- Paula Williamson, an actress who appeared on Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, married the infamous Charles Bronson in 2017 after they became penpals
- Karen Charves married Kenny Richey while he was on death row in 2014. He had been convicted for starting a fire in 1986 that killed his ex-girlfriend’s daughter, aged two. Karen and Kenny’s union did not last and she claimed he was abusive.
- Naomi Wise, from Essex, married Victor Oquendo, nicknamed Animal, while he was serving a 24-year prison term in a US jail. They split up in 2022 but have now rekindled their romance
Eric has spent his whole twenties behind bars, meaning he missed out on drinking and partying, and Carla said he probably doesn't even know what a touch screen phone is.
Despite spending their whole relationship apart, Carla said that if Erik is sent back to prison, she will end things with him.
She is excited for the months ahead, and can't wait for Erik of meet her family for the first time.
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"We just want to live a normal life," she said.
"I cannot wait to hold his hand and just walk down the street with him."