The Value of “Silence” in the Lives of Postincarcerated Women

The increase in the female inmate population in the United States has brought attention to issues related to women's incarceration. Due to a host of reasons—some personal, some based on society's view of female inmates—many women find it challenging to speak about their experiences prior, during, and after their incarceration. This article explores the challenges postincarcerated women face as they engage the process of speaking their stories into life. The participants' stories suggest silence as a necessary, valuable, and protective strategy for women who are living through a process of reconnecting with themselves, their families, and their communities.