Abstract
I found this anthology of poetry and brief prose by female inmates of a Vermont prison who participated in a writing circle program to be as emotionally moving as any book I have read in years. Seldom do written works bring me to tears as this one did. The women write of early trauma and loss, poverty, abusive partnerships, addiction, mental health challenges, and separation from children and other loved ones. Contributors are identified only by first name, some of which have been changed to protect identities. The book is edited by the two female facilitators of the writing circle. They describe that the private donor funded program was developed to support self-exploration and community building and present the anthology as a means of amplifying imprisoned women’s words so as to educate those on the outside about incarceration issues. Proceeds from sales of the book are to be channeled back to the writing program.
The women write of experiencing unforgiving lives and struggling to forgive themselves for the mistakes they have made in turn. They speak of both being abandoned, betrayed, and exploited and letting down those who would support them or who relied on them for nurturing. They review sad and neglectful childhoods, abusive partnerships, and anguish regarding their own children. They long for something to make themselves feel whole and worthy and to give them a sense of belonging. Imagery used includes hearts that pump hate, feelings of burning away, and being locked into chambers of shame. Efforts to escape emotion and memory such as through substance use result in further isolation, relationship trouble, and loss of freedom. Substances for some are the only refugee, best friend, or “the mother I never had.” The stories explore how those trapped in psychic pain can become physically imprisoned. They are haunted and controlled by their past. Through reflective writing, they come to appreciate how unexpressed pain, anger, and shame can “turn into demons.” As participation in the program continues, they recognize that their words can have power and that writing can free thoughts and the imagination. They begin to write not only of their pain but of hope and possible futures.
Collectively, the first person accounts provide a gendered lens for understanding pathways to incarceration and the needs of female offenders. The issues with which they contend are complex and support of rehabilitation will require a deep appreciation for histories of victimization, social disadvantage, and relational disconnection. The anthology can lend itself to use in research on gendered pathways to crime and is a reflection of the need for policy and practice that is trauma informed and female-specific. While the book succeeds with contextualizing the lives of women in the criminal justice system in terms of experiences with trauma and loss, exploitative relationships, and addiction issues, there is little exploration of the intersectionality of gender with race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability. Providing a critical lens on how systems of oppression intersect to result in further disenfranchisement would have made for an even greater book. In addition, those who seek a guide to developing a similar curriculum will have to seek the information elsewhere. The book makes a strong contribution to locating female criminality amid tragic circumstances, abuse, discrimination, and inequalities. Release of the women’s stories could inform social work practice through the attention to the environmental forces that contribute to problems in living. As the accounts act to emphasize the importance of valuing the dignity and worth of the person, the book would be a useful addition to the reading list of forensic social work students, practitioners, and educators.