Beyondmedia: What We Leave Behind

Women make up only a small percentage of the burgeoning prison population, but their numbers are growing more rapidly than those of men. Those most commonly seen in the media, women who kill their children or commit other horrific crimes, are not truly representative of the female prison population, who are primarily non-violent offenders. For the most part, women prisoners are invisible and voiceless.

This 20-minute videotape made by formerly incarcerated women challenges stereotypes about women in prison and examines the impact of their incarceration on their children. It also demonstrates the power of disenfranchised groups to shape their own media images. The women's stories are told through moving personal testimonials, original poetry, lively group discussions of the issues, and spontaneous street-corner encounters with teen girls and children of prisoners.

Bolstered with a wealth of statistcal information, this video is an excellent resource for anyone concerned with the disturbing increase in women's incarceration and its impact on society. Buy the tape

"When we are asking for volunteers to drive children to see their incarcerated mothers, I will show this video. What better way to show that the women do love and care about their children than to hear them painfully talk about their separation as being the hardest aspect of their incarceration. The children, too, speak so clearly about how their mom is still their momma no matter where she is or has been. I won't have to say a word. The video says it all."
–Pat Davis, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, "Prisoner and Family Connections"

"What We Leave Behind" was produced by Visible Voices, a group of formerly imprisoned women organized to analyze policy and work toward personal and systemic change; and Women's International Information Project (WiiP), an organization of media activists dedicated to expanding women's capacities for broad-based social change by facilitating media education and access with grassroots women's groups.

Supported by Crossroads Fund, Beyondmedia Education and Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers (CLAIM).