Carceral geography and women prisoners in Russia

The majority of women in prison in Russia are held at considerable distances from home, often in remote places difficult for their relatives to access. The negative influence of distance on prisoners – its contribution to high rates of recidivism and poor prisoner mental and physical health – is recognised by the post-Soviet authorities. In reforms to the ‘correctional code’, Russia has pledged itself to holding prisoners near to home, but women are excluded from this provision.