BOSTON (AP) – A prison inmate who wants to get married while behind bars had his request denied Monday by the regional homeland security director.

Garry Jacquet, a 28-year-old Haitian being held at the Bristol County House of Correction on immigration charges, wants to marry Guilaine Lorzeille, an American citizen who lives in Somerville.

But Bruce Chadbourne, interim director of the New England Field Office of Homeland Security, which is detaining Jacquet, wrote to his attorney saying the inmate would not be allowed to marry Lorzeille while in prison.

Chadbourne said the marriage request appears to be a desperate effort by Jacquet to avoid deportation. He also cited security concerns as a reason for denying the request.

Jacquet, who was born in Haiti but has lived his entire adult life in the U.S., is awaiting deportation because he stayed after his legal immigrant status expired, said Bernie Sullivan, a spokesman for Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson.

Hodgson denied Jacquet’s nuptial request earlier this month, citing security concerns.

In a statement, Hodgson said he agreed with Chadbourne’s decision.

“We are not in the business of conducting wedding ceremonies here,” Hodgson said.

“The security risks of a wedding behind the walls are significant, as Mr. Chadbourne indicated in his decision.”

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