In the previous report, lifestyle in the colony was described. In this article, we have looked at the inner world of women and their thoughts.
The causes that led convicted women here, the life scenes in the prison, the grief and hatred, the loneliness and sadness... Our first interviewee told us about her way of life, her regret and despair.
“I committed the crime knowing that it is an unlawful act”
I have many reasons to come here. Family troubles, shortages, and helplessness have led me to this place. I was involved in the heroin trade. I have served 6 years of my sentence, there are still 5 more years pending.
I committed the crime knowing that it is an unlawful act. Why did I sell heroin? My children were young, I broke up with my husband. I could not go out and work. I was the only breadwinner in the family. Poverty led me to commit a crime. I had to breastfeed two of my daughters. My mother was jobless. My father was also in prison for the same crime. Two of my brothers were still young.
I became involved in this criminal act in 2007. That year, my two daughters were in the intensive care unit of the hospital due to anemia. There was nothing at home. I came home from the hospital. My daughters needed medication. I didn’t know what to do. I went to the basement of our house and cried there. Then I saw a hole.
When I checked properly, I found a bottle of heroin hidden by my father. I immediately called my father’s best friend. I told him about all the happenings and my despair. He came and gave a little money. I was able to maintain my family. So, I began to sell the heroin little by little.
“We are not afraid of the work, but society has already abandoned us”
When I was convicted for the first time, I was released on parole. I had to pay 25% of my income to the state. If I could not pay within 3 months, I had to go back to the colony again.
They issued a temporary document as a replacement of the passport. When I was looking for a job, I was constantly refused. Even I went to the khokimiyat and asked for a job. I used to get the same “no” answer everywhere. My children were hungry at home, I was the only breadwinner of the family.
