ABSTRACT

The title of ‘ex-convict’ is given to people when they complete their sentences in prison and reintegrate into society. Prison changes individuals; its impact lasts throughout their lives. The experience differs for men and women. Women are already marginalized, facing multiple layers of exclusion due to their gender and societal norms, resulting in a different prison experience compared to their male counterparts. Academic research suggests that not only are women’s pathways to crime different, but they also tend to be involved in less violent offences (Gender Pathways Theory, Life Course Theory, and Feminist Criminology). The causes of crime, their effects, and how women navigate the criminal justice system are vastly different experiences. This study employs Labelling Theory, Gendered Pathways Theory, and Feminist  Criminology  as  lenses  to  examine the  experiences  of  women  who have been  previously incarcerated. It finds that women are not always intentionally involved in crime; circumstances such as poverty, intimate partners, blind trust in close relations, lack of awareness of legal procedures, or limited education make them vulnerable, leading to manipulation or exploitation by third parties. Additionally, gender-based traumas like domestic or sexual violence, harassment, or self-defense often drive them towards criminal acts. The focus of the study is on their lived experiences across three stages: prior to offending, during imprisonment, and after release. The narratives, analyzed thematically, reveal that most women never wished to commit crimes; they were often  caught due to their circumstances.  They highlighted gaps within the criminal justice system, misconduct by police and prison staff, challenges faced in prison, the lack of effective rehabilitation programs, and insufficient support post-release. The stigma of being labelled a woman who has offended is compounded when they are branded as convicted women. The label ‘ex-convict’ persistently follows them, subjecting them to ongoing social punishment. The study offers key policy recommendations, such as prioritizing financial aid and temporary shelter, increasing legal awareness among both men and women at a young age, establishing organized support structures for ex-convicts, and re-evaluating our criminal justice system.