Hiba Hashim

Reflection women and condition of confinement

This week's lecture we continued discussing women in prison, it was interesting to learn all the

differences inflicted on women prisons. I think it’s shocking that a big number of prisons do not

have any air conditioning. one would think that it’s intended to be that way, that it’s some sort of

cruel punishment for prisoners however why should staff suffer from the heat too. I think it’s

absurd as some people simply work there and are just trying to do their job. Also, it was pointed

out how expensive fees in the prison, such as phone calls. Based on a previous video I watched, a

released inmate stated that they had to pay for things like personal hygiene, and how conditions

are worse than what most people think. This lecture also helped answer a few questions of mine.

I always questioned prison visitation from the perspective of anything that could be smuggled to

prison. I never considered correctional officers, and I do agree on the point that they should be

searched as well, because not only drugs could be sneaked in but also weapons or sharp objects

that can be used to harm someone. Also, women's pregnancy was included, pregnancy, in

general, is hard, and to go through with it in prison considering all the limitations is even harder.

There is a low number of programs provided for women in prison compared to men, most of

these programs are more effective on men. So, they fail to address women's needs, and most will

not relate to it. The goal for any women incarcerated should not only be to serve time, but also in

hopes to reform and enable individuals to be better. One should not only focus on enforcing

limitations, but also provide opportunities to enhance the change and overall benefit the

prisoners. Other countries like Switzerland and Norway practice the same perspective when it

comes to women in prison. And I believe due to that, they have a lower percentage of overall

crimes that include both women and men, and released prisoners tend to never come back
because they were given the proper treatments. I hope changes are made to the conditions of

these prisons.