Jailhouse wedding for couple serving 12-years for jewelry heist

(CMR) An incarcerated couple who lost their sentencing appeal to the Court of Appeal in February 2021 recently got married in jail. Madeinys Ebanks-Pol (41) and Adrian Adela Gea (34) had a jailhouse wedding last weekend according to exclusive CMR sources at the women's facility at Fairbanks.

The pair is serving a 12-year prison sentence for robbing Mitzi's Fine Jewelry on West Bay Road in November 2015.

The groom was transported from Her Majesty's Prison in Northward last Saturday, April 24 to participate in the ceremony where six outside guests were permitted to attend. We understand that other female prisoners joined in the festivities and were permitted to dress for the occasion.

The prison director confirmed that normally prisoners are not permitted to invite other prisoners to the wedding ceremony. However, for this wedding permission was given for 10 other prisoners to attend since it took place “on the external grounds of Fairbanks Prison”. Staff members were also in attendance with one eyewitness sharing that dancing was observed at the wedding reception.

It appears some family members were not aware of the wedding nor did they receive an invitation to celebrate with the happy couple.

Apparently, the Cuban nationals had the event catered by China Village.

The prison director confirmed that prisoners may apply to get married under civil law in the place of their detention; a right reinforced by the Cayman Islands Bill of Rights in November 2012. Prisoners cover all the costs for the ceremony.

CMR was also informed that there was a bridal shower for Ebanks-Pol before the wedding. Prison Director Steven Barrett shared:

“With regard to Bridal Shower, the staff and prisoners held a short fun evening which included some food snacks and juice (no alcohol obviously.”

Any prisoner wishing to be married firstly submits their request to do so to the Prisons Chaplain who will then forward that to the Director of Prisons. Where one of the parties to the marriage has no Caymanian status, then Customs and Border Control Department are advised. Should CBC have objections to the marriage then this would be communicated to the Director of Prisons and the Registrar General would be informed.

Once the necessary checks have been completed and the eligibility to be married criteria is satisfied (as was the case with all and any in-custody weddings), the Chaplain will then act as the co-ordinator and arrange pre-marriage counseling sessions (normally up to 6 sessions) and any pastoral support.

Between 2 and up to 10 guests are permitted to attend the ceremony provided that all of those invited have been vetted by the prison's internal security team.

CMR asked how a prison wedding would be consummated given that along leaves grounds for an annulment and the director confirmed:

“No conjugal visits are permitted so in terms of consummation that has not happened. This in itself may present grounds for future annulment but does not remove the right to marry.”

Since 2008 the prison service has received 35 requests for marriage, 12 of which have resulted in an actual wedding.

Whilst not confirmed by prison, independent sources shared that both parties were stripped of residency/status in 2018 and that CBC had to approve the ceremony.

The pair were jailed to 12-years in prison in June 2018 after were found guilty by a judge-alone trial in March 2018 of armed robbery of Mitzie's Fine Jewelry of over half a million dollars (CI $516,201.00) in jewelry. During the brazen morning robbery, the store clerk was tied up and bound with duct tape.

Ebanks-Pol worked for the store owner, Mitzi Callan, and had been previously been convicted of stealing two pieces of jewelry worth around $26,000 from the business. She had been dismissed five days before the robbery and assisted Gea by being the lookout and getaway driver.

The getaway car belonged to her brother, who happens to be Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodgriguez the Medical Officer of Health for the Health Services Authority.

In September 2020 they appealed their case to the Court of Appeal claiming that amble consideration was not given to a number of personal circumstances including her depression and his good character. The judges found there was no basis for the appeal and “this was a very serious offence.”