Key Highlights
- Bella Culley, 19, a British teenager accused of drug smuggling, has been moved to a mother and baby unit in Georgia.
- Culley is due to give birth before Christmas after spending five months in Rustavi Prison Number Five.
- She claims she was forced to traffic drugs by a gang that threatened her family.
- Culley’s mother, Lyanne Kennedy, paid £137,000 as part of a plea bargain with prosecutors to reduce her daughter’s sentence.
Human Rights Violations in Georgian Prison
Bella Culley, a 19-year-old pregnant British teenager, was held over drug smuggling charges at Rustavi Prison Number Five in Georgia. During her five-month incarceration, she faced severe living conditions that violated basic human rights. According to her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, Culley had to boil pasta in a kettle and toast bread using a candle for heating.
She also lacked access to proper sanitation facilities, relying on a hole in the ground as her toilet. Culley was granted only one hour of fresh air per day and shared communal showers twice a week.
These conditions were not only deplorable but also posed significant health risks, particularly for Culley due to her pregnancy. Human rights organizations have condemned such treatment, highlighting that prisoners should be afforded basic living standards consistent with international human rights laws.
Moving to a Mother and Baby Unit
On November 2nd, 2025, Bella Culley was transferred from Rustavi Prison Number Five to a mother and baby unit. This move came after her plea bargain with prosecutors in Tbilisi City Court, where she agreed to a reduced sentence as part of the deal. Culley is expected to give birth before Christmas.
Her mother shared that the new conditions are significantly better, allowing her daughter to cook for herself using the communal kitchen and have access to showers and proper toilet facilities.
Lyanne Kennedy told the BBC that since the transfer, Bella has been able to spend two hours out of the unit per day walking around. “She now gets two hours out for walking, she can use the communal kitchen, has a shower in her room and a proper toilet,” said Kennedy. “They all cook for each other. Bella has been making eggy bread and cheese toasties, and salt and pepper chicken.”
Financial Settlement and Plea Bargain
The family made a substantial financial payment of £137,000 to reduce Culley’s sentence through a plea bargain with prosecutors at Tbilisi City Court. Lyanne Kennedy stated that the funds are intended to be credited to the relevant government account as part of their agreement. The sum is believed to be sufficient to significantly mitigate her sentence length.
While details about the exact amount and its impact on Culley’s case remain undisclosed, it is understood that this payment was instrumental in securing a more favorable outcome for the pregnant teenager. Kennedy informed reporters outside the Tbilisi courthouse that they are still awaiting confirmation of the funds’ transfer to ensure the plea bargain is fully executed.
Conclusion
A Step Forward but Concerns Remain
The transfer of Bella Culley to a mother and baby unit marks an improvement in her living conditions, highlighting both human rights advancements and legal negotiations. However, the circumstances surrounding her case raise questions about the treatment of pregnant prisoners and the use of plea bargains as a means of reducing sentences.
As Culley awaits the birth of her child, attention remains focused on ensuring she receives appropriate care and support during this critical period. The situation underscores the need for continued scrutiny and reform in how prisons handle cases involving vulnerable individuals such as pregnant women.
