Inside the shocking world of 'prison brides': Women who found love with convicted felons open up about their VERY unique romances - and how they keep the passion alive while their 'soulmates' are behind bars

It is possible to find your soulmate in the strangest of places.

But seven women from around the world think they have found true love with inmates in American prisons.

Lifetime's latest series, simply titled Prison Brides, has lifted the lid on how blushing brides-to-be from the likes of Germany, Australia and the UK formed unlikely bonds with convicted felons in the US.

The men who are soon to be married are serving years in prison on a range of charges including armed robbery, assault and possession of a firearm.

Here, FEMAIL takes a look at some of the most shocking connections as women uproot their lives to be with their new loves. 

Lifetime's latest series, simply titled Prison Brides, has lifted the lid on how blushing brides-to-be formed unlikely bonds with convicted felons in the US

The first to share her story was midwife Svea, from Dusseldorf, Germany.

The 29-year-old candidly admitted that she did not have 'much dating history' before she struck up the relationship in the first place.

'I was a student homeschooling and there was nobody to talk to. Online I saw that there was an opportunity to be pen pals with a prisoner in the United States.

'I just thought I would say whatever is on my mind. He is so far away he cannot tell anyone because he is locked up.'

Svea described beau Joseph as a 'good listener,' adding that he was 'understanding and goofy.' 

Joseph, 30, was then revealed as a current inmate at Central Michigan Correctional Facility serving 11 years for armed robbery, assault and possession of a firearm.

She continued: 'I thought it would not be possible to fall in love with somebody you never met but it happened to me.'

The connection left her friends and family 'scared' and 'nervous' but she attempted to dispel her mom's worries on camera. 

Midwife Svea, from Dusseldorf, Germany, fell in love with Joseph who is serving 11 years for armed robbery, assault and possession of a firearm

Following his release, Svea and Joseph checked into a hotel to celebrate their very first night together - but soon ran into accommodation clashes 

Addressing his crime, which he committed aged 19, Svea said: 'Of course it is not a nice crime at all but he was really young at that time...

'I'm not trying to downplay it. Everybody makes mistakes - some people make small mistakes and some people make big mistakes.

'He did a big mistake and I'm sure he will never, ever do something like that again.' 

The couple, who had never met in person before the show, eventually met for the first time during filming.

Following his release, Svea and Joseph checked into a hotel to celebrate their very first night together - but soon ran into accommodation clashes.

He moved into his cousin's basement in Michigan and, after Svea moved back to Germany, he seemingly struggled with life on the outside which left her questioning if the felon even had time for her anymore.

But theirs was a familiar tale. 

Hairdresser Erin, 33, explained how she was preparing to relocate from Brisbane, Australia, to move in with boyfriend Michael in Ohio once he was released from prison.

She later dropped the bombshell that this meant she would also be leaving her son behind with his father in order to pursue the new relationship. 

Hairdresser Erin, 33, explained how she was preparing to relocate from Brisbane, Australia, to move in with boyfriend Michael in Ohio once he was released from prison

'He means the world to me but right now I think that at this point in his schooling it would be a bad time to uproot him.

'It's important that he has that stability while I am building stability in America,' she reasoned. 

Having dated the convict long distance for three years, Erin said: 'This is definitely the most serious relationship I have had...

'He is just such a lovely, warm, funny person and it's just sucks that he is there - but I'm just so glad he wants to be with me because I don't know how anyone could not fall in love with him.'

Michael, 43, was sentenced to 8.5 years behind bars on charges of robbery, burglary and receiving stolen property. 

And it is not his first stint in prison.

Michael, 43, (pictured with Erin) was sentenced to 8.5 years behind bars on charges of robbery, burglary and receiving stolen property

Erin shared: 'Michael's been incarcerated before. His first sentence was 15 years. He got out and went back a year later.'

Asked if she was worried he would make the same mistake again, she explained: 'He's a lot older now... He says now he has something more to live for and to work towards,' in reference to herself.

But their relationship has not been without its hurdles.

Michael proposed to Erin immediately after his release, following a short stint in a halfway house, and the duo quickly began building a life together but it appears his outbursts towards his fiance put too much pressure on their relationship.

Elsewhere, postal worker Emma, 32, from London, was also seen jetting off to tie the knot with 33-year-old Curtis - after exchanging messages for more than two years.

He was serving seven years at St Louis Correctional Facility in Michigan for car jacking and possession of a firearm.

She explained: 'The reason that I actually even wrote to Curt in the first place... not even that long ago I was in a terrible relationship. It was a violent relationship.

'I really didn't want to be with anybody. I didn't want to be with anybody physically, I didn't want to date.

'Writing to a prisoner allowed me to be who I am and grow as a person but it was on my terms.'

Emma said Curtis proposed just six months after she first started writing to him.

Elsewhere, postal worker Emma, 32, from London, was also seen jetting off to tie the knot with 33-year-old Curtis

Fighting back the tears, the lovesick bride-to-be dished: 'As much as people always say to me "you must have saved Curt," he also saved me - and I don't think people see that'

Fighting back the tears, the lovesick bride-to-be dished: 'As much as people always say to me "you must have saved Curt," he also saved me - and I don't think people see that.'

Emma said that the couple had to get married while the inmate was still behind bars - rather than waiting for his release - to ensure she can get the correct visa by the time he is a free man.

She shared that she spends about $2,500 per trip to see her fiance and works seven days a week to be able to save up funds for the journey.

'The time and the money involved is a lot,' Emma explained. 'Have I ever thought "why am I doing this?" Every day.

'I'm too far invested now to give up. Mama didn't raise no quitter.' 

Explaining the situation to her parents, Emma said of Curtis' crimes: 'He did car jacking and had a firearm on him which isn't that scary because everyone in America has a firearm.

'It was just the car jacking and the car jacking itself was like a family feud type thing... I don't really see like a victim of his crime. He's not a mass murderer.'

Dishing on how they have been able to take their relationship to the next level, Emma divulged: 'Being with somebody that is incarcerated, there are very limited ways that you can be intimate.

'I like to use my imagination and he likes to use his - and we like to exchange "spicy letters."'

In one such exchange, Emma received an outline of Curtis' penis, adding: 'They like to draw around their private parts in prison apparently and send it in the mail.'

But their relationship was also put to the test.