The Struggles of Bella Culley: A Pregnant Teen in Georgian Prison

Mon Nov 10 2025 23:19:08 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Bella Culley, a 19-year-old British woman facing drug smuggling charges in Georgia, is navigating prison life 2,600 miles from home as she awaits sentencing. Her harrowing experience raises questions about the justice system and prison conditions.

Bella Culley, an eight-month pregnant British teenager imprisoned in Georgia for drug smuggling, shares her experience from behind bars, where she initially faced harsh conditions. Recently transferred to a mother and baby unit, she begins to adapt by cooking for herself and learning Georgian, all while awaiting a heavily reduced sentence thanks to a financial contribution from her family. Her case highlights the stark realities of the Georgian legal system and the harsh realities of prison life.

A British teenager, eight months pregnant and charged with drug smuggling, is awaiting sentencing in prison in Georgia, South Caucasus. Bella Culley's family has raised £137,000 to help reduce her sentence, but what are her daily experiences like, 2,600 miles away from home?

Speaking to the BBC, Bella's mother, Lyanne Kennedy, revealed that Bella has been transferred to a 'mother and baby' unit after five months in a notoriously harsh environment at Rustavi Prison Number Five. Initially, Bella coped with minimal resources, boiling pasta in a kettle and toasting bread over a candle flame.

Now, she benefits from improved conditions including a communal kitchen, allowing her to prepare meals for herself and others. Bella is learning the Georgian language and has found camaraderie with fellow inmates as they share cooking responsibilities, preparing dishes like eggy bread and salt-and-pepper chicken.

After being detained for pre-trial detention since May, Bella was arrested when authorities uncovered 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish in her luggage at Tbilisi International Airport. While she has pleaded guilty, her defense team argues that she was coerced into smuggling the drugs by gangsters who tortured her.

Throughout her imprisonment, reports regarding prison conditions in Georgia have highlighted appalling sanitation and treatment. A letter from another prisoner painted a grim picture of hygiene issues and limited access to basic necessities, such as soap and toilet paper, emphasizing the continuous struggle faced by inmates.

Despite such challenges, the Georgian Ministry of Justice claims that conditions have improved, allowing inmates more time outside and access to vocational programs. However, the scrutiny remains regarding the treatment of women, especially those who are pregnant.

Bella’s family is advocating for her release, drawing attention to Georgian laws that favor pregnant women’s rights, raising hopes she may be released before giving birth. Bella’s case shines a light on the harsh realities of drug laws in Georgia and the impact they have on young lives.

As her final sentencing approaches, Bella's family remains determined to see her home. Lyanne Kennedy remarks, “We are just a family doing everything we can for my daughter and grandson”.