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Former nationalist defender Sara Bennett spent 13 years photographing women convicted of homicide. She traces their lives successful situation – and what happens arsenic they re-enter nan extracurricular world
Linda, 70. Incarcerated aged 43 successful 1992. Pictured astatine Taconic Correctional Facility, Bedford Hills, NY, 2019. Sentence: 30 years to life.Sarah King
Thu 2 Jul 2026 07.00 BST
Veronica, 53, successful her apartment, Flushing, NY, 2021. Served: 27 years. Sentence: 25 years to life. Released: 2019
Veronica is shown pinch her hubby of 29 years. Sara Bennett’s book is simply a striking reminder of nan complexity and humanity of women who are acold much than nan azygous enactment that sent them to prison. Through friendly portraits and individual ephemera – Polaroids, letters, drawings, handwritten notes – erstwhile nationalist defender (a domiciled akin to a ineligible assistance lawyer) Bennett creates a layered communicative that resists stereotype. Sara Bennett’s Looking Inside: Women With Life Sentnces is published by Kehrer Verlag
Andrea, 64, successful a recreation room astatine Taconic Correctional Facility, NY. Incarcerated astatine nan property of 46 successful 2001. Sentence: 20 years to life. Released: 2020
Bennett spent much than a decade photographing women convicted of homicide and sentenced to life successful New York state. She traced their lives inside, and successful immoderate cases their extracurricular world connected re-entry.‘When I first came in,’ says Andrea, ‘it was weird but I learned to woody pinch it by going to religion and working. As a female who has rebuilt herself, I emotion being successful my 60s’
Karen, 69, successful a bum shelter, 4 weeks aft her release, NY, 2017. Served: 35 years. Released: 2017
‘Parole sent maine to a bum appraisal centre successful nan South Bronx,’ says Karen. ‘The value of nan nutrient and bedding was a lateral move from prison. But, factoring successful my freedom, there’s nary mobility it was an improvement. Now I’m surviving successful a shelter tally by nan Women’s Prison Association. I consciousness safe and secure. The room I’m surviving successful is sparse, pinch not overmuch successful it – but it’s mine. In this room I find comfort, privacy, bid of mind, and yet freedom’
Sahiah, 23, astatine nan assemblage library, Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, NY, 2019. Incarcerated aged 16 successful 2011. Sentence: 20 years to life
‘Being incarcerated astatine specified a young property made maine consciousness arsenic if my life was over. But arsenic nan days and nan clip went by I knew God had a typical scheme and intent for me. There is ray astatine nan extremity of my tunnel. I will beryllium free’
Judy, 69, astatine nan nursery, Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, NY, 2019. Incarcerated aged 31 successful 1981 Sentence: 75 years to life
‘People inquire maine why I grin truthful much. It’s not that I’m ever happy. I suffer nan pains of imprisonment: separation from loved ones, being strip-searched aft visits, being forbidden to hug. Every day, I transportation nan load of guilt for my crime and each nan symptom and nonaccomplishment I americium responsible for. I cannot alteration that. But I tin determine really to aftermath up each greeting and meet nan day. I take love, curiosity, to smile’
Carol, 69, successful supportive housing, 4 years aft her release, Long Island City, NY, 2017. Sentence: 25 years to life. Served: 35 years. Released: 2013
‘When I was inside, I dreamed of getting out, getting a job, travelling. But by nan clip I sewage retired my wellness was bad. Basically, that changed each plans. I wish I could do more, but I’m astatine peace. I person my grandson Cecil. He’s a precious boy of six years. He loves maine unconditionally and that’s a delight’
Jennifer, 40, successful her ain apartment, 15 months aft her release, Brooklyn, NY, 2021. Served: 17½ years. Released: 2020
‘I consciousness for illustration I americium moving connected being free’
Assia, 35, successful a babe apparel storeroom, Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, NY, 2018. Incarcerated aged 19 successful 2003. Sentence: 18 years to life
‘Recently I spent nan nighttime looking aft a nine-week-old babe whose mom was removed from nan nursery unit. As a nursery adjutant and doula, I americium 1 of nan fewer women entrusted pinch caring for precious life and supporting caller and knowledgeable mothers. Despite nan bad choices that landed maine successful prison, and distant from my ain children who person had to turn up without me, I tin still make a difference’
Linda, 70, successful a recreation room for nan medically unemployed, Taconic Correctional Facility, Bedford Hills, NY, 2019. Incarcerated aged 43 successful 1992. Sentence: 30 years to life
‘This is my 27th twelvemonth being incarcerated. I’ve been scared, lonely, hurt, disappointed and forgotten. When I sewage present 11 months ago, I couldn’t judge each nan women I’d done clip pinch were still here, going to nan committee and ne'er leaving. Will that beryllium me? I do my hairsbreadth and constitution daily, it makes maine consciousness good. But connected nan inside, I’m breaking down. I request for forgiveness and a 2nd chance. Will I dice down these walls?’
Evelyn, 42, successful Queens, NY, 2014. Served: 17 years of a 15 years to life sentence. Released: 2012
‘When I was a kid, I didn’t person truthful overmuch clip to play around. I was busy. I was nan only girl. I had 2 mini brothers and I had to return attraction of them and work. Spending clip pinch kids now lets maine goof astir and beryllium silly. I consciousness joyous erstwhile I’m pinch them’
Evelyn, Astoria, NY, 2015
Evelyn successful supportive lodging aft she and her home partner ended their relationship
Karen, 69, successful nan visiting room, Taconic Correctional Facility, Bedford Hills, NY, 2017. Incarcerated aged 35 successful 1982. Sentence: 25 years to life
‘First Step: I will yet respire caller air, yet return my first measurement extracurricular this obstruction without my hands cuffed – without shackles connected my feet. Will I consciousness free correct away? Will I beryllium scared? I would beryllium a fool not to beryllium terrified of each that has changed successful 35 years, but I’m an eager fool’Explore much connected these topics
