In This Place Called Prison: Women's Religious Life in the Shadow of Punishment

In This Place Called Prison explores the role of religion in the lives of incarcerated women in the United States, highlighting the ways in which women use religion to navigate the challenges of carceral control.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 26 May 2023
Publisher: University of California Press

In This Place Called Prison delves into the intricate tapestry of religious life within a correctional facility, offering a captivating and insightful account of the experiences of incarcerated women, staff, and volunteers. Conducting a year-long ethnographic fieldwork within a U.S. state women's prison, Rachel Ellis engaged in extensive conversations with hundreds of women who were confined within its walls. Through the narratives shared by these individuals, Ellis unveils the profound ways in which women harness religion as a navigational tool to cope with the realities of carceral control. This book serves as a poignant exploration of the complex interplay between religion and the state, revealing an enduring tension between freedom and constraint. It sheds light on the ongoing quest for dignity and hope amidst the backdrop of mass incarceration, state surveillance, and the pervasive inequalities prevalent in American society.

Ellis's research reveals how religion becomes a source of resilience and strength for women in prison. She highlights how women utilize religious practices, beliefs, and communities to confront the challenges and hardships they face daily. Whether it's seeking solace during times of distress, finding meaning and purpose in their lives, or finding a sense of belonging amidst the chaos, religion plays a vital role in shaping the experiences of incarcerated women.

Furthermore, Ellis's book sheds light on the ways in which the state colludes with religion to maintain control and perpetuate the carceral system. She observes how religious organizations and officials often work hand in hand to promote the prison-industrial complex, advocating for harsher sentencing laws, expanding prison populations, and reducing opportunities for rehabilitation and reentry. This collaboration between the state and religious institutions undermines the pursuit of justice and perpetuates cycles of incarceration.

In This Place Called Prison is a powerful testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It challenges us to reexamine our societal attitudes towards incarceration and to work towards creating a more just and equitable system that prioritizes rehabilitation, restoration, and the pursuit of freedom for all individuals.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 210 x 140 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520384538