Female prisoners make up a small percentage of the prison population, about 6.7%, and are often glossed over when discussing the carceral state. The history of females prisoners is just as long, and shares many similarities with the history of male prisoners. For example women were included in the convict leasing programs, often working to cook for the other inmates and clean. Female conviction and incarceration rates have risen with the incarceration rates of men over the last few decades.
Women can face harsh and even cruel conditions while incarcerated. Most women are convicted of non violent offences, usually drug related. Many incarcerated women are victims of some type of abuse. Many female prisoners face the unique challenge of being mothers or expecting mothers. Incarceration separates mothers from their children. In some cases the children are living with family or friends and will be reunited with their mother when her sentence is up. It can be difficult or even impossible for children to visit their mothers in prison. Pregnant prisoners who give birth during their incarceration face a punishment worse then prison: saying goodbye to their newborn babies. Prisoners are taken to local hospitals to give birth. They are usually chained to the hospital bed, the chains are only removed when the women is far enough into labor. The babies are kept with the mothers for 24 hours and then taken away. The could be given to a family member or guardian with a relationship with the mother, or put in the foster care system.
These resorces provide more information on the history of female prisoners, and the struggles of incarcerated mothers.
Reading:
Chained in Silence, by Talitha LeFlouria. Tells the stories or women involved in the convict leasing programs of the 1800s.
A History of Women’s Prisons, and article by Jessica Pishko. Provides a comprehensive window into the differences and similarities between modern and historical female prions.
Documentaries:
Babies Behind Bars, directed by Amanda Richardson. A two part series that explores a program that lets pregnant prisoners stay with their newborn babies in jail. It also shows some of the struggles imprisoned mothers have to face.
Information also gathered from: