Behind Bars: The Untold Stories of Women in Venezuela’s Penal System

The Context of Incarceration in Venezuela** The Venezuelan penal system is notorious for its severe conditions, with overcrowding, food shortages, and lack of medical care rampant across detention centers. Women, who make up only 7.8% of the total prison population, face some of the harshest realities. Many of these women are mothers, and their imprisonment not only separates them from their children but also removes crucial economic support from their families. Gosen’s work highlights how the justice system disproportionately affects the most vulnerable segments of society – a reflection of broader socio-economic issues in the country. Life Inside the Prison Walls In her photographs, Gosen reveals the stark contrasts of life within the penal system. While some prisons, like Ana María Campos II, offer limited access to sports and educational programs, the overall conditions remain dire. Women are often subjected to military-style rituals that reinforce the government’s ideological narratives. The absence of visitation rights and communication with the outside world amplifies their isolation and suffering. Gosen captures these moments, painting a vivid picture of life behind bars that is both heartbreaking and illuminating. The Emotional Toll of Separation The emotional burden of incarceration is particularly heavy for mothers. Venezuelan law permits children to stay with their mothers in prison until the age of three, yet many facilities lack adequate maternity wards or the necessary infrastructure to support this arrangement. As a result, countless families are torn apart, and children are left without the nurturing presence of their mothers. Gosen’s images convey this anguish, emphasizing the human cost of systemic failures that extend far beyond the prison walls.

A Broader Crisis: Women and the Justice System in Latin America Gosen’s project does not stop at the borders of Venezuela. Her commitment to documenting the conditions of women in prisons has expanded to Guatemala and El Salvador, where similar injustices persist. By sharing these stories, Gosen aims to shed light on the regional crisis affecting women in the penal system and the urgent need for reform. Her work serves as a call to action for policymakers and advocates to address the systemic issues that perpetuate these conditions.