According to the modern thieves' code of the criminal world, a woman cannot become a thief in law. However, she can achieve similar status by becoming an authority figure in the women's colony.
In men's and women's prisons there are different rules for prisoners; women do not comply with men's thieves' concepts. But a certain prison hierarchy is present in both places. So what does a woman need to do to rise to the top?
Why and why women are imprisoned
Criminal behavior is a social construct that develops in a certain historical and cultural environment. Society normalizes male crime more than female crime. There are approximately five times fewer women prisoners than men. Of course, both of them look like something that violates the social order. I make quotation marks with my hands, because for a man it still looks like a continuation of a masculine, somewhat cruel and aggressive beginning. And women in patriarchal regimes are credited with weakness, softness, and pliability. It is clear that these are all stereotypes, but they really influence society.
Women prisoners do not necessarily have dysfunctional parents, but may have special situations related to alcohol, drugs, divorce, or a new cohabitation mother or father. One way or another, there is an emphasis on relationships with the mother - they can be very complex.
Nowadays it is mostly women who are imprisoned for drugs. We were told stories about so-called test purchases. This is a common way to get out of a difficult situation using law enforcement agencies. Many crimes are related to domestic violence. Very often this is a response to violence from a man: father, stepfather, cohabitant, partner, husband. We were often told about events at school that became a sharp turn in the lives of women. As a rule, this is associated with violence, sometimes rape, some kind of injustice. As a result, circumstances developed in such a way that the person could not resist them and committed a crime. We have not encountered any situations with deliberate aggression or a desire to injure someone.
Recently, cases of economic crimes have become more frequent. After the protest events - speeches, rallies, arrests - the range of crimes and punishments expanded, we know about cases of detention and sentences for participation in protests. In no way do I undertake to judge or interpret issues related to the legality or illegality of such detentions and terms. I’m just noting that this is a new phenomenon for Russia. The Pussy Riot story gave impetus to special attention to cases of protest activism, especially women's. And of course - to the conditions of detention of women in colonies and special regimes and the everyday life of women on the verge of physical survival and psychological pressure. True, in my opinion, there were no fundamental changes in the colonies after this. Except that a year and a half ago there was a large-scale trial with the top of the Federal Penitentiary Service regarding corruption and abuse. If any changes occur in the system, they are of a political nature.
Photo: Ilya Pitalev / RIA Novosti
The body of a condemned woman. Medicine, obstetrics, hygiene
In the codes and practices regulating detention in pre-trial detention centers and colonies, there is no understanding of the differences between women and men. On the one hand, a woman who is imprisoned is subjected to greater stigmatization in public opinion - as having violated not only the law, but also violated the “natural” order of women’s destiny. On the other hand, within the framework of the punishment system, she is denied the realization of her “femininity”, when her body, physiology, and special practices turn out to be completely insignificant; rather, on the contrary, they serve as a kind of additional mechanism of humiliation and punishment for a “double” crime. The maintenance of a woman is no different from the maintenance of a man. At least nowhere are rules written down that take into account the peculiarities of female physiology. The gender of the criminal is not important.
Medicine in the colonies is of an extremely low level. The biggest problem is teeth. Women told us that they recognized each other on the street, without having shared prison experience, because ordinary people simply do not have such bad teeth. If teeth hurt, they are very rarely treated. Usually they are torn.
Gynecology is perceived as an additional punishment for women, as a reminder of how unworthy a woman is. Help is very bad. Women are brought to an extreme state where hospitalization is already necessary. Doctors work in the best traditions of Soviet gynecology, when certain manipulations with the female body can be used and perceived as a special punishment for “pleasure.” This is repressive medicine.
Drug addiction is treated simply by quitting. For a person who wants to get rid of it, the conditions there are suitable - complete isolation. These are, of course, terrible withdrawal symptoms, but women told us that getting rid of addiction is the only advantage of imprisonment, no matter how strange it may sound. Of course, you can buy drugs in colonies, but they are not available to everyone. This is a question of money, connections, relations with the administration and place in the hierarchy.
There are no medical secrets observed there. If a prisoner has HIV or tuberculosis, everyone probably knows about it. For example, HIV-positive people must be transported separately. There is a slight HIV-phobia there, because people are disconnected from up-to-date medical information. Certain fears exist.
We were told stories of women giving birth in the colony. There are special compartments or barracks for pregnant women. After giving birth, they spend a short time with the children, and then the babies are separated. I know that this is a very difficult and traumatic situation for women, because there is not much time allocated to be with the child. Children may be desired, but sometimes it’s the other way around - some get pregnant on purpose to get relaxation of the regime.
The colony store sells sanitary pads, and the woman must buy them herself. This is also a valuable resource. They are exchanged for something, sometimes improvised means are used instead. The worst bullying is when bed linen gets dirty due to menstruation, and women are forced to wash it themselves. This is often unbearably difficult. Interestingly, in prisons, bed linen must be white, so stains are immediately noticeable.
It is incredibly difficult to wash yourself in a colony. There is a shower, which is allowed once a week. There are also washrooms where you can do your laundry at the same time. There are certain schedules for this. The most disadvantaged are the “mushrooms”, that is, the poor who have no relatives or money, and who are forced to help other, more status women - wash, clean, help them cook. Of course, “mushrooms” have the least time for personal hygiene. This turns out to be virtually impossible. As a rule, foremen have the right to exclusive use of the same washing room.
Photo: Evgeny Epanchintsev / RIA Novosti
Leisure
Women's prisons often host a variety of concerts, events, and even real beauty contests.
Typically, prisoners are happy to take part in them, since it allows them to take their mind off work and feel part of society. “Some even manage to do their hair, manicure, and pedicure in their cells. It really lifts your spirits,” a former prisoner shares her memories.
A special position in a women's prison or colony is occupied by women who are there with children. Many of these children were born in captivity. Conditions are created for women in labor so that they can care for the child. Upon reaching the age of three, the baby is given to the prisoner’s relatives. If they are not there, then the baby is sent to an orphanage.
Despite the fact that women's prisons are considered fairly quiet places, and the fair sex commit fewer violent crimes, there is a lot of cruelty in the women's “zone.” Those who are imprisoned for infanticide are considered the lowest caste. They are humiliated and beaten in every possible way. Those who enjoy greater benefits than others or are about to be released are also treated harshly.
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“Mushrooms”, “wool”, “peas”. Hierarchy of the women's area
“Mushrooms” are the lowest level in the hierarchy. These are, as a rule, those who have been sitting for a long time, do not get warm, were homeless in the past, drank a lot - or rural women with a low level of education.
In women's colonies there are "thieves", who can be orderlies and foremen. These are people who are somehow connected with their superiors or have a certain weight in their eyes. Therefore they have privileges.
The whole horror is not even that you find yourself in a situation of complete isolation, because practically no one visits women. The main thing is that you can never be alone, in silence, with yourself. You have neither the time nor the opportunity. No internal or external space. For example, a sleeping place. Where a person sleeps depends on his place in the hierarchy. The women managed to make something like small rooms - they set up four bunk beds and curtained them with sheets, isolating them from others. Although you shouldn't cover your beds with sheets, they do for a while. The most prestigious places are near the wall and in the corner. At least on one side, you find yourself isolated from someone else and can simply turn to the wall and not see anyone.
"Wool" are those who "warm themselves." Those to whom rich relatives or some friends, girlfriends, or “sponsors” make donations. It often happens that rich relatives buy equipment for the colony. "Wool" has a resource.
“Activists” are those who make money on parole. There can be two attitudes towards them. If the men's colonies are divided into red (where the administration is in charge) and black (where power belongs to criminal authorities), then in the women's colonies we did not find this, nor a clearly defined system of concepts. In the black men's colony, activists are not liked very much, because going on parole is not according to the “concepts”. You cannot do public work or work at all. It's humiliating for them. A real thief cannot do this. Women still have a more neutral position towards this.
“Peas” are the youngest, young animals.
“Mushrooms” and “peas” are used whenever possible. It's different in different situations. They do some kind of support work, service, for example, cleaning, washing, cleaning toilets, and so on. For this they receive protection, things like cigarettes, coffee and tea, and they may simply not be beaten.
Killing a child is highly condemned. Among our informants we came across one such story. This woman was extremely reserved. She simply chose this position for herself: she did not communicate with anyone, did not enter into coalitions, and behaved as aloof as possible. The situation there was quite complicated. We never took a position of justification or condemnation, nor did we find out whether the verdict was fair. Nevertheless, with this woman there was a feeling that she was shielding her partner. It was unintentional murder.
Photo: Vitaly Ankov / RIA Novosti
Love and sex in prison
In women's colonies, homosexuality is generally less stigmatized than in men's colonies. In men's, this is treated as a serious crime, since it is a violation of the main principle of patriarchy. Public opinion has always allowed homosexuality for women. It was stereotypically seen as something frivolous and temporary. This idea was reflected in prison life. In a men's colony, homosexuality is the most severe stigma. Prisoners who enter into intimate relationships are not even second-class people, but fifth-class people. They are ignored, you cannot eat, drink, or share anything with them. This is not the case in a women's colony.
Another distinctive feature of the women's colony is very intense communication, incredibly simple. This is almost the only practice available to them; they do nothing else. Men are not all working yet, but women are working and talking. Moreover, everything is in plain sight. According to formal laws, this is prohibited, but almost everyone knows about love stories, including the administration. Often employees manipulate this.
Homosexuality can be situational, or it can be more serious when a woman identifies herself as a lesbian even before the colony. Situational appears due to loneliness and isolation. Girls who look like boys are highly valued in the colony. In order to gain status, avoid bullying, or be able to keep warm, some of them begin to behave deliberately masculine. We were told about the proceedings when such a woman was brought to light, establishing her biography. On the one hand, it's a little funny, but on the other hand, it's a significant moment of identity. Sincerity is one of the most valuable qualities there. If a person lies about the past, it will be hard for him in both male and female spaces.
Often women create pseudo-family couples, mostly two by two. However, they will not necessarily be in a romantic relationship. That's not the question here. This is a situation of forced cohabitation of people with different characters and biographies. In any case, even if there is no sex and romantic feelings, people need an emotional connection, otherwise the couple will not work. A colony is a very aggressive environment, so having some kind of support is simply necessary. In addition, the “family girls” share programs with each other. If one of them is free earlier, she will make parcels for her friend. This is a form of protection and arrangement of everyday life, and, perhaps, a certain inclination of a woman to live together. A person needs to argue with someone, grumble at someone, tell someone how things are at work, ask someone to leave a cigarette, drink coffee together. This is bringing meaning to existence: when you live not only for yourself, but also help someone.
Women sometimes use sexual violence to demonstrate power and humiliation, but this is not as common as in the men's colony. More often, in order to put a person in his place, it is not sexual violence that is practiced, but physical violence. There are also a lot of squabbles and fights, even within families and couples.
Romances between prisoners and colony staff are perceived as heroic, but here we need to understand that we are in the space of their narratives and understanding of what happened to them. For example, stories about men working in a colony may be assessed differently.
Treating such a romance as heroic, even if the woman experienced humiliation, may be a desire to normalize her story. Such intimacy cannot be considered completely voluntary, because the prison officer obviously has more power than the female prisoner. But stories with female security guards are more about victory and restoration of justice. Especially when the guard begins to take care of or help the prisoner. But there are also nuances here, because this can be a story of betrayal and exploitation. Proximity is a resource, alas.
In a prison, a colony, in unfreedom, all the systems of relations and mechanisms of power that exist in a free society are taken to the extreme, and look brighter and more prominent. Our everyday desires for understanding, separation, meaning, intimacy, justice also work within a closed institution. In both cases we can observe sincerity, commercialism, the struggle for power and resources, and so on.
Photo: Evgeny Epanchintsev / RIA Novosti
To become a boss, you need connections
The eldest and her “retinue” are a closed group. Newbies rarely get there. To achieve a good position in the prison hierarchy, a prisoner needs to spend quite a lot of time in MLS. The prisoner must prove her reliability, flexibility, willingness to share packages and support team members in difficult situations.
Some prisoners are watched by their cellmates for months. The easiest way to gain respect is for those individuals who often receive parcels from relatives and share products with members of their team.
