'GMB' viewers furious as ex-convict says prisoners should be entitled to IVF

Good Morning Britain viewers were left furious today during a debate about whether prisoners should be entitled to IVF.

Appearing on the ITV morning show, former Strangeways and Forest Bank inmate Cody Lachey, who served two years over three stretches, argued that making the treatment available to prisoners could prevent them from reoffending.

However, Richard Madeley, who was hosting today’s show, said that having certain rights taken away from you is part of the punishment of being in prison.

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“It’s part of the deal, you do the time, you forfeit your human rights while you’re in jail,” he said.

To which Lachey replied: “Once you enter prison, yes you committed a crime but you don’t stop being a person and the last thing you want to do is dehumanise people.

“Prisoners are not allowed to vote so they’re not on the government’s agenda, so prisoners should be given the basic human right to father children while behind bars.

“If you have been in a relationship for 15 years, and your partner stayed by you while you’re in prison, why should she be punished for your criminality?”

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Madeley hit back by suggesting that compensating the families of prisoners “diminishes the effect of the punishment”.

But Lachey argued: “Relationships in prison are key to reducing reoffending. Lord Michael Farmer himself says prisoners who receive visits in prison are 39 per cent less likely to reoffend.

“What society needs to remember is that 99 per cent of prisoners, unless serving a whole life tariff, will be introduced back into society at some point.”

Viewers soon took to Twitter to express their outrage over the debate, with one person writing: “No way should they be entitled. Many couples who haven’t committed a crime are unable to get IVF. They should come first.”