Skip to headerSkip to main contentSkip to footer
The Week Logo
Subscribe & SaveSubscribeSubscribe to The Week magazine and save.
Give a GiftGive a Gift
  • Politics
  • Culture
  • Business
  • Speed Reads
  • Cartoons
    • Tech
    • Photos
    • Puzzles
    • Books
    • Instant Opinion
    • Pros and Cons
    • Where They Stand
  • Magazine
  • Newsletters
Skip advert

America's forgotten prisoners

A photographer steps into a women's prison in Texas to meet those caught in the crossfire of the war on drugs

Picture of Lauren Hansen
by Lauren Hansen
September 27, 2017

Nancy Ferneau: sentenced to 25 years in 2003 for conspiracy to sell, manufacture, and distribute methamphetamine and marijuana. Feneau is 65 years old and has two daughters.

(Wes Bruer)

Nancy Ferneau.

(Wes Bruer)The vast majority of these women are serving time for non-violent drug offenses — many under mandatory minimum sentences for low-level offenders enacted during President Reagan's e

Skip advert

Rita Becerra: sentenced to 27 years in 1994 for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Becerra, 66, has one son, one daughter, and four grandchildren. Her clemency petition was denied in 2016. This was her first offense.

(Wes Bruer)While men were often the main targets of the war on drugs, women, particularly women of color, were often collateral damage. Women who were unable or unwilling to provide informati

Skip advert

Sharanda Jones: sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1999 for conspiracy to traffic cocaine. This was her first offense. Jones was granted clemency by President Obama in 2015.

(Wes Bruer)In 2016, while working at CNN, photojournalist Wes Bruer did a story on one such female prisoner.Sharanda Jones was 32 years old when she was indicted on seven counts of conspiracy

Skip advert

Crystal Munoz: sentenced to 19 years and 10 months in 2007 for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana. Munoz, 38, has two daughters.

(Wes Bruer)

Rose Ella Summers: sentenced to 24 years and four months in 1997 for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and money laundering. Summers, 47, has one son. This was her first offense.

(Wes Bruer)"As was my impression of Sharanda, every one of these women took me by complete surprise with their positive outlook and kindness considering the injustice that has befallen them a

Skip advert
Skip advert

Deneise Quintanilla: sentenced to to life in 2001 for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Quintanilla, 49, has two sons and one daughter. She was granted clemency by President Obama in 2017.

(Wes Bruer)In May 2017, Bruer returned to Carswell, this time to watch one of the women he photographed, Deneise Quintanilla, leave the prison behind after 16 years. In 2001, Quintanilla was

(Wes Bruer)For more on Wes Bruer's prison project, visit Beauty on the Inside. To see more of Bruer's photography, check out his website, or follow him on Instagram or Twitter.

Skip advert
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email
  • U.S.

Recommended

Trump could announce 2024 bid this month
Donald Trump
getting in early

Trump could announce 2024 bid this month

10 things you need to know today: July 3, 2022
Smoke rising from Lysychansk
Daily briefing

10 things you need to know today: July 3, 2022

Pain at the pump
A woman pumping gas.
Briefing

Pain at the pump

The turning point
Trump.
Picture of William FalkWilliam Falk

The turning point

Kentucky man charged after shootout that left 3 cops dead
Lance Storz
facing the consequences

Kentucky man charged after shootout that left 3 cops dead

New York lawmakers move to restrict concealed carry and enshrine abortion rights
Kathy Hochul
the empire (state) strikes back

New York lawmakers move to restrict concealed carry and enshrine abortion rights

10 things you need to know today: July 2, 2022
Damaged building in Odesa
Daily briefing

10 things you need to know today: July 2, 2022

Traveling this summer? Pack your patience.
Canceled flights.
Briefing

Traveling this summer? Pack your patience.

Most Popular

The turning point
Trump.
Picture of William FalkWilliam Falk

The turning point

7 toons about Cassidy Hutchinson's Trump testimony
Political Cartoon.
Feature

7 toons about Cassidy Hutchinson's Trump testimony

The soul of a machine
Ones and zeroes.
Picture of William FalkWilliam Falk

The soul of a machine

Skip to headerSkip to main contentSkip to footer
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Kiplinger
  • The Week Junior
  • MoneyWeek
  • The Week UK
  • Subscribe
  • Subscriber Login
  • Give a gift
  • Classroom subscriptions
  • Customer Services
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility
  • Ad info
  • Newsletters
  • Privacy Preferences
  • Do Not Sell My Information

The Week™ is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site at https://futureplc.com
The Week™ is a registered trade mark.
© Future US LLC, 10th floor, 1100 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005. All rights reserved.

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on Twitter
Skip advert