Female Inmates’ Daily Routine in Georgia
Rustavi Prison Colony #5, the only facility for female inmates in Georgia, was launched in 2010. Photo by N. Alavidze
Currently, all prisoners in Rustavi Prison are adults, although underage female inmates should also be imprisoned here. Photo by N. Alavidze
Rustavi Prison houses 240 prisoners today. Before 2013, this amount was over 1000. They were pardoned according to the Mass Amnesty. Photo by N. Alavidze
According to the prisoners, relationships between inmates are quite friendly. They have good affairs even with the prison superintendent. Photo by N. Alavidze
‘We will continue our friendship after leaving prison.’ said one of the prisoners. Photo by N. Alavidze
Every Monday, the prisoners have certified courses in several different fields: Business-management, embroidery, painting, massage, and haircut. Photo by N. Alavidze
Irina Azarova, who has been imprisoning since 2007, has learned embroidery and working with wool felt. Photo by N. Alavidze
Those women who are skillful in drawing or embroidery are able to sell their works. Photo by N. Alavidze
Nino has a small art workshop in her cell where she knits. Photo by N. Alavidze
In several inmates’ cells you can find pencils, knitting yarns, and weaving sticks. Photo by N. Alavidze
The prison library that was launched in 2012, with the assistance of the Foreign Ministry of Norway, plays the most candid role in prisoners’ life. Photo by N. Alavidze
The female inmates are devoted to love story and crime fiction books. They visit this place at least twice every the week. Photo by N. Alavidze
The Nobel-laureate Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk’s novel ‘The Museum of Innocence’ is the most admired book for every prisoner in Rustavi Prison #5. Photo by N. Alavidze
The Bible and religious books are also very popular among the inmates. Photo by N. Alavidze
According to the inmate Irina Azarova, many of them are becoming more religious while in custody. Photo by N. Alavidze
‘The time is stopped in the cells and the only way to forget it is to flee to the library.’ said one of the inmates in Rustavi Prison #5. Photo by N. Alavidze
‘Psychologist’ and ‘Social worker’ is written on the door. These women try to re-socialize themselves and the prison psychologists assist them. Photo by N. Alavidze
The inmates are allowed to call to their families with restrictions. However, this is a vitally important day for them, when they are allowed to call their relatives. Photo by N. Alavidze
There is a yard for kids in Rustavi Prison. Five female inmates are raising children there. Photo by N. Alavidze
‘This is not the prison it was before October 2012. Nowadays, the situation is more friendly and human.’ claim several inmates in Rustavi Prison #5. Photo by N. Alavidze
Regardless of their sentence, all 240 inmates are waiting for their turn to be pardoned for the New Year. Photo by N. Alavidze