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By Anne Near

However their stories differ in the details, all of the women in this book speak about their time in prison with eloquence and admirable candor. Some have spent most of their lives behind bars; for others, prison was a one-time experience. Most were incarcerated for offences related to drugs and theft. Several were involved in violent crimes. Three --- Betty Krawczyk, Ann Hansen, and Christine Lamont --- did time for political activities that received international media attention. Their stories belie any stereotype about the type of woman who ends up in jail. Each account is a parable of life's fragility, a cautionary tale of how easily anyone can meet with harm or be led astray. While relaying stories of courage, resiliency, and hope, the editors raise provocative questions about personal accountability, the meaning of justice, the state's uses and abuses of power, and the broad social challenges women face.