Jailbird Seeks Love On The Outside

Do you hear that? Yes, that wince-inducing rasping sound coming from your chest cavity? That, people, is the sound of the dating industry scraping the barrel for a new way to have us all ensnared in Cupid's trap by teatime.

As if the ravages of speed dates, blind dates and just plain fucking awful dates weren't enough, step forward a dating website set up for prison inmates who want to get in touch with those on the outside. Launched by Netherlands-based prison welfare group Bonjo, it's in response to statistical evidence that suggests offenders have a better chance of staying on the straight and narrow, if they have a pair of loving arms to run to once release date comes.

Us sane folk will head screaming for the hills, but at least from the safety of that elevated vantage point we can watch as the total nut-jobs are lured from their group therapy, into a fucked up pseudo-romance with an ex-con doing life for murder.

Take 21-year old Kristine. She's been writing to 23-year old Jonathan for a year now and when he's spat back into the system, they plan to start a family together. So far, so weird. Each month she visits him through a glass barrier. Ain't that sweet.

This modern day fairy tale gets even darker when we hear Kristine hasn't a clue what got her intended thrown in chokey in the first place. But it's ok kids: she says this is "just a bump" and she really believes they will spend the rest of their lives together.

See, you cynical and withered old crones? Romance is not dead.

Photo courtesy of CxOxS's photostream on Flickr.

Written by Ria on 21 May 2008 2:37 PM. Permalink