‘Everyone Knew’: Erin Tanti Says Prison Aware Of Plan To Father Child
Convicted murderer Erin Tanti, serving a 20-year sentence for the 2014 killing of Lisa Maria Zahra, has claimed that Corradino prison authorities were aware he and his partner intended to have a child via artificial insemination.
Tanti told Times of Malta from prison that his partner had sent multiple emails to prison director Chris Siegersma and welfare commissioner Steve Libreri outlining their plan. According to Tanti, both officials verbally expressed no objection, and two medical vans were allowed into the prison to collect his sperm for the procedure.
“Everybody in here knew I wanted to have a baby with my partner… We exchanged emails and had meetings about it for months,” Tanti said. He added that medical staff helped facilitate the collection, and the insemination was successful on the second attempt.
However, both Siegersma and Libreri deny ever approving the procedure, insisting they had no authority to do so. Siegersma said any comments made were misinterpreted, and noted that assisted reproduction falls under the Embryo Protection Authority’s remit. Libreri also rejected Tanti’s claims, stating there was no approval or legal standing on his part.
The case drew public criticism, especially from the victim’s family. Lisa Maria Zahra’s cousin, Winston Zahra, called Tanti had “incredible audacity,” saying, “It’s OK to murder someone else’s daughter but then you claim your right to becoming a father?”
Tanti and his partner were arrested following police investigations into a potential breach of the embryo protection law. The doctor allegedly involved in the insemination, Josie Muscat, is expected to face charges.
Tanti argued that being in prison doesn’t remove his right to become a father, claiming the arrest violated his right to private and family life.
The incident has sparked broader debate over inmates’ reproductive rights. While the European Convention on Human Rights affirms prisoners retain rights except for liberty, countries differ in how they approach conjugal visits and assisted reproduction. Malta previously allowed conjugal visits but has since stopped them.
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