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A remarkable and compelling collection of true stories from women in prison, told in their own words. 13 Women conveys the personal accounts of women in prison, spanning three decades and taking place in Canada, the United States and Brazil. Most of the women in these pages, as is true for the majority of imprisoned women, were incarcerated for offences related to drugs and theft. Several were involved in violent incidents. Three of the contributors—Betty Krawczyk, Ann Hansen and Christine Lamont—did time for political activities that received international media attention. Karlene Faith’s work as a long-time prisoners’ rights activist has given her deep insight into the politics of punishment. The commentary and reflections she and co-editor Anne Near contribute to the book raise provocative questions about personal accountability, the state’s uses and abuses of power, and the broad social challenges women face.

Karlene Faith is Professor Emerita with the School of Criminology and an associate faculty member with Women’s Studies at Simon Fraser University. She is the author of many articles and books, including Unruly Women: The Politics of Confinement & Resistance, which won the VanCity Book Prize in 1994. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Karlene Faith's profile page

"The book combines the women's often riveting accounts of their experiences with astute ommentary provided by Faith and her co-editor, Anne Near, about the wider meaning of those experiences."

Globe & Mail, The

"Each is a story of resilience, of facing the world bravely and learning the lessons it teaches. Karlene Faaith's insightful commentary raises provocative questions about power, the meaning of justice, and the broad social challenges that women face."

SFU School of Communication

"The heart-wrenching, often humorous, and coldly realistic tales... provide a broad overview of not only the prison "justice" system, but of how systemic inequality forms the backdrop to incarceration. The book also captures the humiliation, hopelessness, and tragedy attendant to a life spent in prison."

"...a poignant, gripping, and disturbing tribute to this underclass of women largely silenced, ignored, and abandoned by society..."

Quill & Quire