Raphael Rowe was wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to 12 years in prison. After his release, he starred in Netflix’s Inside The World’s Toughest Prisons—which explores the daily challenges of prison life and larger international human rights issues—while also making up for lost years with his family.
So, who is his family? Find out details about his father, mother, and ethnicity as you scroll down.
Meet the Raphael Rowe Family
Raphael Rowe’s family — father Raphael, mother Rosemary, and siblings — were all present throughout the tumultuous time. They stayed with him during court hearings, campaigned outside by handing out flyers and spreading information during his incarceration, and were there to greet him upon his release.
In part, Raphael’s parents believed they were to blame for their son’s fate. Unable to afford the things Raphael wanted as a child, they pushed him to find other ways to get them. So, in the process, Raphael was arrested at 17 for shoplifting and spent 10 months in a Young Offenders’ Institution, surrounded by like-minded boys.
After his release, Raphael returns to his family only to leave home with a friend to stay at his boarding house. And this is where his nightmare begins! While living at that boarding house, one night a group of hooded men, armed with guns, burst in, arrested him and charged him with murder and robbery, and imprisoned him in Brixton Prison.
Raphael was eventually convicted of murder and robbery, and sentenced to life in prison. While in prison, he later began a journalism course and spent his days analyzing case files and taking notes.
Finally, in 1993, Raphael appealed the sentence to the Court of Appeal and, after it was accepted, he applied to the European Court of Human Rights.
In 1997, the same year the Criminal Cases Review Commission was established, Raphael’s case was referred to the Court of Appeal. Three years later, the European Court of Human Rights finally handed down its judgment and freed Raphael.
Who is Raphael Rowe’s father?
Raphael Rowe was born to a Jamaican father, Raphael Rowe Sr., who came to the UK by boat in 1962. And for this reason, Raphael Jr. calls himself a product of the Windrush.
Well, for those who don’t know, the Windrush Generation comprises those who migrated from the Caribbean to the UK between the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush on 22 June 1948 and the Immigration Act 1971, including passengers on the first ship.
“I feel quite proud knowing that it has had such a significant impact on the history of this country,” Raphael shares his views on Windrush.
If he were still alive, Raphael Sr. would have been 86 years old in 2022.
Who is Raphael Rowe’s mother?
Raphael Rowe’s mother, Rosemary Prior, was English. She was born and raised in London and married Raphael’s father when she was 17.
According to Raphael, her mother had the kindest heart. Even when he said things to her that he regretted, she still forgave him. After all, a mother’s love is unconditional.
Speaking further about his family’s pain, Raphael shared, “There are many things I regret saying to my family while in prison out of frustration.” The frustration arose from discrimination, being beaten by prison guards, and witnessing incidents between prisoners and between prisoners and prison guards.
If alive, Rosemary would be 77 years old in 2022.
How many siblings does Raphael Rowe have?
Raphael has three siblings named Belinda, Hazel and Joanna, all of whom are sisters.
The oldest is Belinda. Then there’s Hazel and Joanna. And the youngest is Inside The World’s Toughest Prisons presenter Raphael.
His sister Joanna was even photographed outside London’s Royal Courts of Justice during the hearing.
Is Raphael Rowe married?
Yes, Raphae is married (as of 2022). However, he only revealed that he has a wife and children in 2021 through a book titled “Notorious: Life with No Parole for a Crime I Did Not Commit”.
The book is 250 pages long. But unlike what you might think, Raphael didn’t dig through his 12-year box of diaries (while in prison) to write this book. Instead, the book tells his story from a new perspective after his release.
“I have never talked about my wife and children anywhere, anytime. So in my book, this is the first time I have revealed that I am even married,” Raphae shared.
But sadly, although Raphae was reunited with his family, he remained estranged from his eldest child, born in 2000. However, he was able to explain his imprisonment to his youngest son and daughter.
Before marrying his wife and being imprisoned, Raphael had a relationship with the baby’s mother, Nancy Stanley.
Did you know: Raphael’s eldest child has Down syndrome.
Related FAQs
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What is the ethnic background of Raphael Rowe’s family?
Raphael Rowe comes from a mixed-ethnic family. His father is Jamaican and his mother is English.
But growing up, Raphael’s ethnic mix was not unusual in south-east London, where many ethnicities lived side by side, and low-income, working-class backgrounds were the norm.
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Where does Raphael Rowe’s family live now?
As of 2022, Raphael and his family live in his hometown of London, United Kingdom.
This is Raphael’s IG @raphaelrowe.