Women Behind the Bars in Turkey.

This paper analyzes the status of incarcerated women in Turkey's prisons. Data was collected from prison records and interviews with ten former women inmates. Women's institutions are overcrowded, lack sufficient food and sanitation facilities, and are located in remote locations a substantial distance from the women's families. It was also found that there is a sexist approach that underscores the treatment of women prisoners, and women with children are struggling with the separation from their children. However, although Turkey's women's prisons are in need of revision, the institutions do offer much needed educational and work opportunities for incarcerated women. These educational and work opportunities are a bright spot for prisons in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]