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A Project by and for Incarcerated Women
Statistics published by the Bureau of Justice indicate that the number of incarcerated women has been increasing. The specific reasons for this increase are the subject of several studies. However, it is clear that a high percentage of incarcerated women have experienced some form of abuse in their lives, whether emotional, physical or sexual. Their criminal behavior mistakenly seemed to be a way out of their circumstances.
As a national outreach, Dismas Ministry has encountered women inmates whose suffering was so great before going to prison that they regard their cell as a place of refuge. The following quote from one such woman expresses this in a moving way:
“I thank God that there are people like you who are concerned for prisoners.
With your prayers you cheer us on to continue moving forward. May God take care of you and enlighten you always. Please never abandon us. My prison cell has been converted into a palace for me. I prefer to be here than in any other place.”
As a result of their abuse, these women still live with the effects of their trauma as they serve their sentences. Some also are mothers separated from their children, others have experienced the loss of their child, or have children who also are incarcerated. Many women behind bars may have a poor self-image and feelings of worthlessness. The “I Am Beautiful” project is an attempt to support their inner beauty as they find their way back to self-esteem and recovery.
This special project invited incarcerated women to share their art, poems, stories and reflections, which now have been published in a book entitled “I Am Beautiful.” Their contributions have made this book a work of their very own, and it has given those who contributed the knowledge that they have helped other women in prisons across the country who also struggle with self-esteem and the trauma of abuse.
Additional art and writings from incarcerated women continue to be shared in a periodic newsletter published by Dismas Ministry called, “I Am Beautiful.” (Link to pdf of newsletter).
Copies of the book “I Am Beautiful” are available for a suggested donation of $12. Please send check payable to: Dismas Ministry, PO Box 070363, Milwaukee, WI 53207.
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inmates, and is well on its way to completion. As part of the three-book series, Part 1: Prayer in the Old Testament and Part 2: Prayer in the New Testament have been completed. Part 3: Prayer in the Catholic Tradition will be completed by the end of 2011. This course, like the Bible and faith study courses Dismas Ministry now provides, will be free to inmates.
project completed a book by the same name, to benefit women in prison who have experienced abuse at some point in their lives. This special resource gives survivors the opportunity to support other women in prison who have experienced abuse. Free copies were distributed to the chaplains of all 71 women’s prisons in December of 2010. Copies are available to the public for a suggested donation of $12.