EXPERIENCES OF FOREIGN WOMEN IN SPANISH PRISONS

This article examines immigrant women's experiences of incarceration in Spain. Our research shows the sociological profile of imprisoned women in Spain, establishes their criminal profile, and analyzes their prison life. We carried out in-depth interviews with professionals and foreign female inmates, in different prisons in Spain. We focused on aspects such as their relationships with Spanish inmates, their problems related to Spanish language and the legal system, their role as mothers, healthcare, and religion. This article concludes with several proposals to adapt the Spanish penitentiary system to the changes produced by the increase of foreign woman inmates.