In a bizarre twist to an already twisted story, a woman who gained online notoriety for posing as a “fake Barbie” on OnlyFans is now making headlines for her demand for conjugal visits with her new boyfriend while serving her prison sentence for the murder of her previous partner. The case highlights the growing trends of social media influencers, online fame, and the blurred lines between reality and virtual personas. Here is a deeper look at the case of the “Fake Barbie” murder trial and the controversial request for prison visitations.
Abigail White, a 24-year-old woman from Kingswood was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 18 years in a UK prison after she fatally stabbed Bradley Lewis, her partner and father of her three children through the heart in March 2022. White, who described herself as a ‘fake-Barbie’, claimed that she only wanted to scare Lewis after he broke up with her, but was convicted of murder and given a severe punishment.
Now incarcerated in a prison, White is calling for the UK’s prison service to allow female inmates to have conjugal visits with their partners to fulfil their “needs”. Such visits usually entail prisoners spending a scheduled amount of time in private with a visitor, typically, their legal spouse, and are intended for sexual activities. Several countries, such as the US, Canada, France, and Spain have already implemented them.
White stated in the prison magazine Inside Times, “It has come to my attention, after recently being sentenced to 18 years, that prisons do not facilitate overnight stays for women prisoners and their partners. They should take into account and consideration our needs, and allow men and women to have overnight stays together. I would like to know what other prisoners think about this, as quite a few girls here agree.”
Before the fatal stabbing, White had boasted about earning £50,000 (€57,100) per year on the adult site OnlyFans. On March 26, 2022, the incident took place after a heated argument at a pub in Kingswood, South Gloucester. During her trial at Bristol Crown Court, jurors heard an audio message she had sent to a friend prior to the stabbing, where White said, “Obviously, I have no limit when I get angry and obviously, he said I need help with that…” In a second recording, White talked about how she struggled to get her partner to tell her the truth and how she would resort to physical violence to extract information.
White’s case highlights the importance of recognizing the extenuating circumstances that lead individuals to find themselves incarcerated. The existence of conjugal visits may not be a Universal remedy, but it could provide prisoners with a much-needed sense of normalcy, fostering stronger bonds with their partners and families, a crucial factor in their eventual reintegration into the society.
Female inmates, especially, experience higher rates of mental and psychological stress while in prison, and such visits could offer them a positive outlet to develop healthy relationships. It is essential not to forget that the goal of imprisonment must ensure the overall well-being of prisoners, their rehabilitation, and their return to society.
However, implementing conjugal visits may also raise several red flags in terms of infrastructure, mental health issues, and security concerns. A well-defined plan must be created to ensure the safety and privacy of prison officers, inmates, couples, and visitors. Besides, other prisoners may also demand similar services, resulting in an overburdening of the system.
Currently, the UK prison service does not allow overnight stays for women prisoners and their partners, and although there are no immediate signs of a change in policy, White’s case may bring about renewed debate on the issue.
In conclusion, while it may be a controversial term for some, the implementation of conjugal visits could positively impact the lives of prisoners, especially female inmates. If handled correctly, such measures could increase their well-being and provide a sense of normalcy that is crucial for their eventual reintegration into society. As such, stakeholders must cautiously explore the possible benefits and risks of such a policy.
