Behind Bars: An In-depth Analysis of Women Prisoners in India

Abstract

Female criminality has historically been overlooked, largely due to prevailing stereotypes that portray women as inherently more honest and less prone to criminal behavior. The dominant societal narrative continues to frame crime as a predominantly male phenomenon. Consequently, women who commit crimes are often marginalized, and when incarcerated, they are subjected to prison systems designed primarily for male inmates. Female prisoners face a unique set of challenges within the penal system, encompassing social, economic, cultural, physical, and psychological dimensions. Although women constitute a minority of the prison population, data indicate a concerning upward trend in female criminality. The proportion of women arrested for various crimes rose from 5.4% in 2001 to 6.2% in 2011. Despite their growing numbers, female prisoners often remain peripheral in criminological discourse, and their rights are frequently violated within systems that fail to account for gender-specific needs and experiences. Long-term incarceration tends to reinforce and magnify the oppressive mechanisms that women already endure in broader society. Understanding how women experience imprisonment—especially long sentences—requires a recognition of the abuse many have endured in their communities, as well as the emotional and biographical contexts that shape their lives. Importantly, incarceration does not strip individuals of their human rights. As affirmed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), limitations on a prisoner’s rights must align with the principles of morality, public order, and the general welfare in a democratic society. This paper employs both qualitative and quantitative methods to examine the lived experiences of female convicts. It aims to challenge the notion that criminality is inherently masculine by centering on the voices and narratives of incarcerated women. In doing so, it sheds light on their vulnerabilities, institutional struggles, and the broader neglect of their rights and realities in both academic and policy discussions.