Women's accounts of their prison experiences - A retrospective view of their subjective realities

This article examines the subjective experiences of previously imprisoned w omen. Their retrospective narratives of prison life reveal overt behavioral and underlying structural tensions that create an atmosphere of fear and v iolence. Furthermore, attitudes of indifference between inmates and correct ional staff often contribute to fostering an environment of neglect. The st udy, based on in-depth interviews with fifty-four female subjects, describe s and analyzes several aspects of the socialization process for inmates as related by women on parole. The research shows that the "pains of imprisonm ent" for women are suffered to a greater degree than previously acknowledge d. Prison for these women is a social world filled with anxiety and, perhap s, represents a punishment well beyond what the law intended. (C) 2001 Else vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.