ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Sara Bennett's 'Looking Inside' Documents Women Serving Life Sentences in New York

publication · 2026-07-02

Sara Bennett's photobook, 'Looking Inside: Women With Life Sentences' (Kehrer Verlag), features personal artifacts and poignant portraits of women in New York state who have been convicted of murder and received life sentences. A former public defender, Bennett dedicated over ten years to capturing the lives of these women both within correctional institutions and, in some cases, after their release. The collection highlights individuals such as Veronica (released in 2019 after 27 years), Andrea (released in 2020 after 19 years), and Judy (incarcerated since 1981). Their narratives illustrate the intricate humanity behind their actions, accompanied by reflections on themes of freedom, loss, and the journey of rebuilding their lives.

Key facts

  • Sara Bennett's book 'Looking Inside: Women With Life Sentences' is published by Kehrer Verlag.
  • Bennett spent more than a decade photographing women convicted of homicide and sentenced to life in New York state.
  • The book includes intimate portraits and personal ephemera like Polaroids, letters, drawings, and handwritten notes.
  • Veronica, 53, served 27 years of a 25-years-to-life sentence, released in 2019.
  • Andrea, 64, served 19 years of a 20-years-to-life sentence, released in 2020.
  • Karen, 69, served 35 years of a 25-years-to-life sentence, released in 2017.
  • Sahiah, 23, was incarcerated at age 16 in 2011, serving a 20-years-to-life sentence.
  • Judy, 69, has been incarcerated since 1981, serving a 75-years-to-life sentence.

Entities

Artists

  • Sara Bennett
  • Judith Clark

Institutions

  • Kehrer Verlag
  • Taconic Correctional Facility
  • Bedford Hills Correctional Facility
  • Women's Prison Association
  • Survivors Justice Project
  • Huck Mag
  • PetaPixel

Locations

  • Flushing, NY
  • New York state
  • Taconic Correctional Facility, NY
  • Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, NY
  • South Bronx
  • Long Island City, NY
  • Brooklyn, NY
  • Queens, NY
  • Astoria, NY
  • United States
  • New York City
  • New York
  • Brooklyn
  • Flushing

Sources