Of Women 'Inside' Prison Voices from India [Paperback]

Based on original research and personal encounters, this book narrates the real-life-stories of women locked up in Indian prisons for alleged or actual violations of the states criminal laws. It contextualises women offenders experiences of the criminal justice system and of state custodial institutions within the larger narratives of their particular lives, thus interrogating the social as well as legal frameworks within which women face adversities in their lives and in custody. It argues that the sex and gender issues that affect women outside are carried over inside, with extremely damaging consequences for the lives and mental health of women prisoners. The volume will be of interest to those in gender studies, legal studies, sociology, and human rights organisations, as well as to policy makers and the general reader.

List of Plates. Acknowledgements.Introduction 1.Salonis Choice2.Rukhsana doesnt Belong Here 3.The Maiming of Mumta 4.Binas Fourteen Years ofjailvas5.Hasina, the Husband Slayer 6.Vimla to Pagal Hai(Vimla is Insane) 7.Shobhavati: Married at Ten, Thirteen Children, There Survive 8.Urvashi: In a Womans Body 9.Lakshmi: Long Live the Revolution 10.Raziya: I am Staff and Imprisoned. Conclusions and New Beginnings. Bibliography. About the Author. Index

These well-told and often shocking, life stories of women serving time in prison convey with great power the injustice that makes the prison the destination for many of societys unwanted and abused women. The authors subjects are all prisoners in India but their experiences and the authors conclusions are universal in their application. This is a book that must be readlG