The Lived Experience of Incarcerated Women in Yazd: Confronting Stigma, Isolation, and Social Reintegration Challenges

In recent years, the study of women’s lived experiences has become a fundamental issue in the fields of criminology and sociology due to the rising incarceration rate of women. The objective of this research is to comprehend the lived experiences of incarcerated women the application of a qualitative approach and grounded theory methodology. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured and in-depth interviews. The cohort is composed of 21 female prisoners, aged 19 to 65, who were deliberately and conveniently selected from the incarcerated women of Yazd. The data were subjected to three phases of analysis: open, axial, and selective coding. The study’s results suggest that the fundamental phenomenon is the existence within the cycle of structural deviation. This phenomenon is influenced by a delinquency-promoting subculture, emotional crises, and secondary deviance among women. Additionally, it is influenced by intervening conditions, such as repressed childhood experiences, economic and cultural marginalization, and specific contextual factors, such as capability deprivation, skill blockage, and overwhelmed emotions. These factors collectively contribute to the ongoing existence of women within the cycle of structural deviation and their involvement in criminality. The results further reveal that incarcerated women are subject to the repercussions of defensive isolation, psychological erosion, and suspended identity. Ultimately, their responses to these challenges are characterized by the reconstruction of their identity, spiritual renewal, and psychological purification.