Self-Identities
Conversations with Convicted Women
Conversations with Convicted Women
Self-Identities:
Opportunities, for incarcerated women serving life and life without parole, permitted to speak “freely” through a Podcast lens inside a maximum/medium security facility is a rarity. Furthermore, it is a collaborative, rigorous, and often exhaustive process for all concerned. It takes authenticity, commitment, tenacity, and patience. Women, who show interest, meet as a group to discuss the podcast, specifically their contribution. This includes being comfortable to choose and openly discuss their childhood, teenage years through to adulthood; now serving life. There is no pressure for any woman to participate. They have free will to accept or decline. Some women I know, others I meet for the first time. The conversations focus on “their life, not their crime.” There are no scripts, or rehearsals beforehand, although some women bring notes. However, I have found that their notes are quickly discarded, to genuinely engage. Women discuss sensitive topics and remind me that they are more than their crime. The women open themselves to vulnerability, something I am conscious of and courteously acknowledge. Listening to their conversations we are reminded of similar incarceration and sentencing terminology. However, from country to country, serving “life” can represent differing sentencing lengths and incarceration experiences for women. Therefore I close with what one woman incarcerated for murder in Dublin Ireland, commented after watching “Until We Have Faces: Women Serving Life.” Her words should resonate with many. “I thought we had it bad, but at least we get to go home. Those women in America, many don’t!”
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About the Director & Co-Producer
Aaron J. Nutter works as a multidisciplinary artist, focusing in the areas of photography, film, and music with a background in podcasting. His current film project “Transient” is a full-length feature Science Fiction thriller that deals with the subjects of loss and grief. AJ has worked on a variety of musical projects including an ambient album that was inspired by the works of Alfred Hitchcock. His documentary photography focuses on rural coal communities. AJ earned his BFA in Photography from PCA&D and his Associate Degree in Video Production from the Art Institute of Philadelphia. He currently lives and works in Harrisburg Pennsylvania in the United States.
with Carrie Bower
Lets Get Visible
Dr Kate is a Feminist Criminologist & Associate Professor, who specialises in women who are serving long or life sentences. Dr Kate is also a documentary and podcast producer. In this episode we talk about women who are ageing in prison. We do not discuss their violent crimes and focus on ageing for women who are serving sentences into later life.
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with Caroline Saul
Dangerous Liaisons
With extensive research conducted in three countries and within maximum-security prisons, brings a unique perspective to this conversation as we discuss the lives of women during incarceration We'd like to remind you that this episode contains discussions that may be triggering, particularly as we touch on sensitive topics such as Stalking, violence and murder. Kathryn's touches on her documentary "Until We Have Faces" that explores the spiritual and corporeal identities of women serving life sentences in a United States maximum security prison. Women tell their personal stories as they reflect upon their humanity, their past and incarceration.