Morgan Petroski

photojournalist

Imprisoned Innocents

Each of the 51 women imprisoned in Central Ibarra Penitentiary is also a mother. The Ecuadorian courts allow the women to choose to bring their children to live with them as they serve hard time. The opposite of prisoners, the children are free to come and go as they please. But the youngest spend all their time with their mothers, never setting foot outside. Neglected and broken toys are often ignored. One meal a day is served per prisoner and the families receive no extra food. Likewise, the women are forced to share tiny bunks with their children. Fights often break out among the children as they mimic the aggression they see daily. Despite rough conditions, the mother/child bond provides solace in a hostile environment. Forty-foot walls and a watchtower serve as haunting reminders that misplaced children live in jail. Even in the darkness of imprisonment the mothers hope for a future for their children brighter than their own.

Imprisoned Innocence - At the Door - Betty Padilla looks at her also imprisoned husband, Leo, after passing food to him through the heavy iron door separating the women's section from the open courtyard. prison1 Imprisoned Innocence - At the Door - Betty Padilla looks at her also imprisoned husband, Leo, after passing food to him through the heavy iron door separating the women's section from the open courtyard.
Imprisoned Innocence - Roll-Call - Anna Zolano kisses her one-year-old daughter, Leslie, during roll-call at 7:30 a.m. prison2 Imprisoned Innocence - Roll-Call - Anna Zolano kisses her one-year-old daughter, Leslie, during roll-call at 7:30 a.m.
Imprisoned Innocence - Lock-Up - Guards wait for the women to return to their bunks before locking the doors to each section at 8 p.m. prison3 Imprisoned Innocence - Lock-Up - Guards wait for the women to return to their bunks before locking the doors to each section at 8 p.m.
Imprisoned Innocence - One of Five - Leonela Padilla, 2, peers over her mother's shoulder as her mother, Betty Padilla, washes clothes for money that will be used to buy food for her five children living with her. prison4 Imprisoned Innocence - One of Five - Leonela Padilla, 2, peers over her mother's shoulder as her mother, Betty Padilla, washes clothes for money that will be used to buy food for her five children living with her.
Imprisoned Innocence - Abandoned - An abandoned doll lies face down in a puddle. prison5 Imprisoned Innocence - Abandoned - An abandoned doll lies face down in a puddle.
Imprisoned Innocence - One Meal - Joselyn Diane Maigua, 6, receives food for her family. prison6 Imprisoned Innocence - One Meal - Joselyn Diane Maigua, 6, receives food for her family.
Imprisoned Innocence - Feeding - Yolanda Brusil, 23, feeds her 9-month-old daughter, Valeria Alejandra, in the bunk they share. prison7 Imprisoned Innocence - Feeding - Yolanda Brusil, 23, feeds her 9-month-old daughter, Valeria Alejandra, in the bunk they share.
Imprisoned Innocence - Tears - After a fight with her brother, Leonela Padilla, 2, cries alone. prison8 Imprisoned Innocence - Tears - After a fight with her brother, Leonela Padilla, 2, cries alone.
Imprisoned Innocence - A Mother's Love - Anna Zolano hugs her one-year-old daughter, Leslie. prison9 Imprisoned Innocence - A Mother's Love - Anna Zolano hugs her one-year-old daughter, Leslie.
Imprisoned Innocence - Night-Yard - Children play in the courtyard at night under the empty watchtower. prison10 Imprisoned Innocence - Night-Yard - Children play in the courtyard at night under the empty watchtower.
Imprisoned Innocence - Candlelight - Janette Portilla, 35, lights a candle to read her Bible as her daughter, Britney, 2, sleeps. prison11 Imprisoned Innocence - Candlelight - Janette Portilla, 35, lights a candle to read her Bible as her daughter, Britney, 2, sleeps.

This story was produced as part of UF’s Florida Fly-Ins program in 2006. To read an extended version of the story written by Vanessa Garcia click here.

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