Hello everyone
Just wondering if anyone has any ideas for me. I have my boyfriend in Florida, he's released next year after serving a 9 year sentence for armed robberty, well i live in England and want him to come over to live with me. I need to know if he would be allowed in this country (we're planning to get married as soon as he's released) he's really hopeful and doesnt think it will be a problem but my biggest fear is he wont be allowed in the country with a criminal record. Even if we got married i'm not sure if that would make any difference for being accepted. I can't seem to find any details about this. If anyone has any info it would be greatly appreciated. Also if anyone else has their beloved situated in Florida drop me a line :)

Love and kisses
Lucy

Lucy,

This may be too simple of an answer, and there may be more knowledge that will come from others...

I would go directly to the Immigration department of your government and research it there. I would not assume that getting married will be the answer. I am not sure and for that reason should probably keep quiet, but I know from the US to Canada is not necessarily easy so I would not assume it is easy to get to England either. I am sure that there are steps that you can start to take...

Good luck

Hi Lucy
I'm from France, and my friend is in Florida too. Santa Rosa CI in Milton. He will be released in 10 years (2012). Will your friend be out in 10 yrs on parole ??? If so, he will have restrictions to travel abroad. If not ( Joey's case), he won't have. Then it will depend on imigrations laws in UK. In France, it "normally", should not be a problem, if we make a common life certificate in the French Consulate in Miami. Now we have a new f..k government and this could change. Ask your Department for Foreign Affairs.
Good luck !!!!
PS where in Fla is your friend ??

Lucy, I forgot to tell you something: keep ALL the letters you send each other, especially the envelops with dated postmarks !!! I was told it will help to "prove" a long term relationship. Yep!!! When you're in love with a prisoner you have to "prove it" !!!! No comment !!!!

Lucy,
I agree with Phil, keep all original correspondence you have with him. should you travel to see him save that plane ticket, receipts and take photos on the visits. This will prove a long term relation ship and may be the halping point. As for Canada, an inmate must be crime free for atleast 5 years and be able to prove rehabilitation (maintaing a job, home etc.)after that they can apply for a minister's permit for admission. However, if your spouse is a Canadian citizen it can have a positive effect. I am unaware if the laws are the same in the UK. I sugest that you contact some kind of immigration agency that would be willing to assist you. In most places they have services for free consultations. It may help for you to marry now. My advise is to look into this now. Immigration proceedings take a long time and a lot of leg work. The sooner you start the more obstacles you can tackle.
Good luck!

I did some searching and found that you do not need a visa to visit the UK if you are a US citizen, it did not mention about prior criminal conviction. The site had a few contact numbers and a bunch of links...try it out
www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/

Thanks so much for the advise..
I realised what i didnt make clear he's being released next November :):). We've been writing to each other for over a couple of years now. There was something about him right from the start that took my heart and yes i've kept all his letters (phew) i wouldn't dare part with any of them. He's based at Columbia C.I- Jacksonville area, i'm going to visit him sometime in January, i really wanted to see him at Christmas but my works policy no time allowed off during any of December which sucks. I'm terrified of going all by myself and i'll only be allowed a couple of visits but i reckon he's worth crossing the atlantic for. I'm trying hard to find someone that might live in Region 2 that i could stay with for a couple of days, rather than doing the whole thing by myself...i'm such a wimp!!!
Love Lucy xxx

Hi Lucy , greetings from germany....
I alaso have the same problem, my friend is in California , and we want live together in 2005 . But we think, it´s easier to live in USA as here in Germany... but I am not sure...I also try to get many information , but not easy to find. But the Idea to keep all about him and you is great... OK, I save all his letter..LOL... but thought to keep it privatly, never thought, it need´s maybe.... so thanks for the Information bella !
Love Sabine

Sorry I live quite far from Columbia CI, however I think there are some other's on here that live closer. Try posting in the Florida forum. As for someone going with you, they would have to be approved on his visiting list unless they were visiting another inmate in the same facility. If the are approved to visit another inmate in the state of Florida they cannot be on another inmates list unless both inmates are family members.(did that make sense,lol).
I hope the link helps you out!

Sabine, there has to be a similar link for Germany. Since I can't read German :) my searching may be usless,lol.
Just type in immigration to germany and criminal background, on any search engine and you should hit a bunch of sites. Let me know if I can be of any help!

hello :)
Sorry i didnt mean someone coming in to the institution to visit Charles with me, i meant it would be nice to know someone living nearby that i could stay with or at least know someone is nearby should i need some help.
I've been hunting the links for the immigration and i think there's going to be a tough fight for him.For anyone in the same position ( and i havent seen anyone post from the Uk as yet) here's some good info http://web.ukonline.co.uk/jm.johnson/options.htm
Well hey i'm not going to give up! No way!! I'll fight to the end.
Hey you guys post me a message anytime, would love to hear from you
*HUGS* Lucy

Hi. Dont know if this is of any help but here4's a reply I received on 23rd October 2002.

"Anyone seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom for the prupose of settlement must first of all obtain an entry clearance from a British diplomatic mission abroad. To qualify for such an entry clearance an applicqant must show not only tht themarriage is genuine and subsisting, but also that he (or she) can be adequately maintained and accomoodated without receourse to public funds. Should an aplicant meet these requirementsa, but also have previous criminal convictions, then the

"Anyone seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom for the purpose of settlement must first of al obtain an entry clearance from a British diplomatic mission abroad. To qualify for such an entry clearance an applicant must show not only that the marriage is genuine and subsisting, but also that he (or she) can be adequately maintained and accommodated without recourse to public funds. Should an applicant meet these requirements, but also have previous criminal convictions, the application will be referred to the Home Office to consider whether or not that person's exclusion would be conducive to the public good. A number of factors will be taken into consideration, including the seriousness of offence, length of sentence, and whether or not there are any compelling compassionate circumstances.

This was sent via snail mail in response to a query on the website www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind. Hope this is of some use. Good luck

Hi Lucy,
yup,I'm in the same position as you.I'm hoping that my boyfriend can come over to England in 2005(when he will be released)but having checked out all the immigration stuff(thanks for the link)well,I think it will be difficult.I am in Dorset,England,and he's in Colorado!Somehow,there must be a way.
Meanwhile,I'm new to this forum and have found it very useful.So,a big Hi to everyone!
Racki

hi back!!! im from holland