A prisoner who has 25 years left to serve in jail for drug trafficking is attempting to become a father.
Scott Hurford, 34, has written to prison authorities and Justice Secretary Jack Straw, asking to be allowed to try IVF treatment with his Thai girlfriend Uria.
He was caught with 250 amphetamine pills in Thailand five years ago and served time in Bangkwang Prison before being extradited back to the UK last year.
Hurford is currently in London's HMP Wandsworth and has 25 years left on his jail term.
The Daily Mail says that he wrote in a letter from his cell: "I am serving a very lengthy sentence and still have over ten years left until release.
"My partner has stood by me and we would like to start a family, however time isn't exactly on our side with me being 34 and my partner 37.
"I need some advice on the rules for IVF treatment whilst in prison. Is this possible? Has it been done before? How do I set the wheels in motion?"
His mother Amanda Wright told the Mail: "Scott definitely wants to have children and Uria is the girl he is talking about, she was his girlfriend all through what happened in Thailand.
"She is 37 and they were together so long and really care for each other. They are still in contact all the time."
They have been told they can apply for access to artificial insemination facilities, but Jack Straw will make a final decision.
A Prison Service spokesperson told the Mail: "Prisoners may apply for access to artificial insemination facilities.
"Each request will be considered on individual merit against a number of considerations and any information which the applicants wish to provide in support of their application."
Back in 2007 the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the British government had violated the rights of Kirk Dickson and his wife Lorraine to have a child, and the couple were awarded £18,000 in damages and costs.
They had been prevented from having artificial insemination while Mr Dickson was jailed for murder.
Do you think prisoners should be allowed access to IVF treatment?
Source: Daily Mail