According to the Mirror, 60 male inmates in UK jails have been granted permission to take part in fertility treatment with their wives or girlfriends.
As conjugal visits are not permitted in British prisons, inmates are able to make an application to the prison authorities to be allowed to provide a sperm donation. Decisions on eligibility are made based on the type of crime committed by the inmate, the length of their sentence, age of their partner, length of relationship, plus considerations about a future child's welfare.
The Prison Service has said: 'HM Prison and Probation Service does not provide IVF treatment for prisoners… Prisoners, however, do have the right to apply for access to fertility treatment, which, if access was granted, would be undertaken at their own expense… Prisoners do not have an automatic right to access fertility treatment and each request is considered on its individual merits.'
