It is possible to find your soulmate in the strangest of places.
But seven women from around the world believe they have found true love with inmates in American prisons.
Lifetime’s latest series, simply titled Prison Brides, has lifted the lid on how blushing brides-to-be from Germany, Australia and Britain formed unlikely bonds with convicted felons in the United States.
The soon-to-be married men are serving years in prison for a variety of charges including armed robbery, assault and possession of a firearm.
Here, FEMAIL takes a look at some of the most shocking connections as women uproot their lives to be with their new loves.
Lifetime’s latest series, simply titled Prison Brides, has lifted the lid on how blushing brides-to-be formed unlikely bonds with convicted felons in the US
The first to share her story was midwife Svea from Düsseldorf, Germany.
The 29-year-old candidly admitted she hasn’t ‘dated much’ story’ before she initiated the relationship in the first place.
‘I was a homeschooler and there was no one to talk to. Online I saw that there was an opportunity to be pen pals with a prisoner in the United States.
‘I just thought I’d say what was on my mind. He’s so far away that he can’t tell anyone because he’s locked up.’
Svea described beau Joseph as a ‘good listener’, adding that he was ‘understanding and silly’.
Joseph, 30, was then revealed as a current inmate at the Central Michigan Correctional Facility 11 years for armed robbery, assault and possession of a firearm.
She continued: ‘I thought it wouldn’t be possible to fall in love with someone you’ve never met, but it happened to me.’
The connection left her friends and family ‘scared’ and ‘nervous’ but she tried to allay her mum’s concerns on camera.
Midwife Svea from Düsseldorf, Germany, fell in love with Joseph, who is serving 11 years for armed robbery, assault and possession of a firearm
After his release, Svea and Joseph checked into a hotel to celebrate their very first night together – but soon ran into overnight clashes
Addressing his crime, which he committed at the age of 19, Svea said: “Of course it’s not a nice crime at all, but he was really young at the time…
‘I’m not trying to downplay it. Everyone makes mistakes – some people make small mistakes and some make big mistakes.
‘He made a big mistake and I’m sure he will never, ever do anything like that again.’
The couple, who had never met in person before the show, eventually met for the first time during filming.
After his release, Svea and Joseph checked into a hotel to celebrate their very first night together – but soon ran into accommodation clashes.
He moved into his cousin’s basement in Michigan, and after Svea moved back to Germany, he apparently struggled with life on the outside, leading her to question whether the criminal even had time for her anymore.
But theirs was a familiar tale.
Hairdresser Erin, 33, explained how she was preparing to move from Brisbane, Australia, to move in with boyfriend Michael in Ohio once he is released from prison.
She later dropped the bombshell that this meant she would also be leaving her son with his father to pursue the new relationship.
Hairdresser Erin, 33, explained how she was preparing to move from Brisbane, Australia, to move in with boyfriend Michael in Ohio once he is released from prison
‘He means the world to me, but right now I think at this point in his schooling it would be a bad time to uproot him.
“It’s important that he has that stability while I build stability in America,” she reasoned.
After dating the doomed long-distance for three years, Erin said: ‘This is definitely the most serious relationship I’ve had…
‘He’s just such a lovely, warm, funny person and it’s just a shame he’s there – but I’m just so happy he wants to be with me because I don’t know how anyone couldn’t stay in love with him. ‘
Michael, 43, was sentenced to 8.5 years behind bars on charges of robbery, burglary and receiving stolen property.
And this is not his first stint in prison.
Michael, 43, (pictured with Erin) was sentenced to 8.5 years behind bars on charges of robbery, burglary and receiving stolen property
Erin shared: ‘Michael has been incarcerated before. His first sentence was 15 years. He got out and went back a year later.’
Asked if she was worried he would make the same mistake again, she explained: ‘He’s a lot older now… He says now he has something more to live for and work towards,’ referring to her self.
But their relationship has not been without obstacles.
Michael proposed to Erin immediately after his release, after a brief stint in a halfway house, and the duo quickly began building a life together, but it seems his outbursts at his fiancée put too much strain on their relationship.
Elsewhere, pCheese worker Emma, 32, from London, was also seen leaving to bond with 33-year-old Curtis – after exchanging messages for more than two years.
He served seven years at St. Louis Correctional Facility in Michigan for carjacking and possession of a firearm.
She explained: ‘The reason I actually wrote to Curt myself in the first place… not even that long ago I was in a terrible relationship. It was an abusive relationship.
‘I really didn’t want to be with anyone. I didn’t want to be with anyone physically, I didn’t want to go on a date.
‘Writing to a prisoner allowed me to be who I am and grow as a person, but it was on my terms.’
Emma said Curtis proposed just six months after she first started writing to him.
Elsewhere, postal worker Emma, 32, from London, was also seen jetting off to tie the knot with 33-year-old Curtis
The lovesick bride-to-be fought back tears: ‘As much as people always say to me “you must have saved Curt”, he saved me too – and I don’t think people see that’
The lovesick bride-to-be fought back tears: ‘As much as people always say to me “you must have saved Curt”, he also saved me – and I don’t think people see that.’
Emma said the couple should marry while the inmate was still behind bars – rather than waiting for his release – to ensure she can get the right visa when he is a free man.
She said she spends about $2,500 per trip to see her fiancé and works seven days a week to save up for the trip.
‘The time and money involved is a lot,’ explained Emma. “Do I ever think “why am I doing this?” Every day.
‘I’m too invested now to give up. Mama didn’t raise any quitters.’
Explaining the situation to her parents, Emma said of Curtis’ crimes: ‘He was carjacking and had a firearm on him, which isn’t that scary because everyone in America has a firearm.
‘It was just carjacking and the carjacking itself was like a family feud thing… I don’t really see myself as a victim of his crime. He’s not a mass murderer.’
Speaking about how they’ve been able to take their relationship to the next level, Emma revealed: ‘When you’re with someone who’s incarcerated, there’s very limited ways you can be intimate.
‘I like to use my imagination and he likes to use his – and we like to exchange “spicy letters.”
In one such exchange, Emma received an outline of Curtis’ penis and added: ‘Apparently they like to draw around their private parts in prison and send it in the post.’
But their relationship was also put to the test.