Just some thoughts from a criminal defense attorney who has handled death penalty cases. When a peson is in prison, they have much time on their hands. That person on the outside is highly magnified. It is very flattering. After sentencing, I am off the case, so a relationship is okay. After my marriage ended I was with one individual. The first week was very, very nice. After that things fizzled quickly. There are reasons people commit crimes, and usually not very good reasons. Also, the institutionalizing in prison creates a person that is usually very dependant and you become more like their parent to them.