In a society where aging is often seen as an inevitable decline, Ritsuko Inokuma’s The Old Woman Behind Bars challenges us to confront an uncomfortable truth:

For many elderly women in Japan, prison may be the only place where they experience care, stability, and even a sense of belonging.

This paradox forces us to ask, are we truly addressing the needs of our most vulnerable, or are we simply locking them away?

The Book in 3 Sentences

• Ritsuko Inokuma’s The Old Woman Behind Bars explores the lives of elderly women in Japanese prisons, highlighting how many repeatedly reoffend due to poverty, isolation, and a lack of social support.
• The book examines the paradox of prison functioning as both punishment and a form of state-provided care, where older women find stability and medical attention they often lack outside.
• Through detailed case studies and analysis, Inokuma critiques the social systems that fail these women, questioning whether incarceration is truly the right solution for their struggles.

Impressions

How Did I Discover It?

I discovered this book on my mother’s bookshelf. While I’ve read some books on social justice, the title caught my attention for offering a fresh yet relevant perspective on the topic.

Who Should Read It?

1. Social justice and prison reform advocates: The book critiques the justice system and explores the paradox of incarceration as both punishment and a form of state-provided care, making it ideal for those interested in reforming prison systems and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.
2. Students or professionals in criminology and sociology: With its detailed case studies and analysis, this book offers valuable insights into the intersection of poverty, crime, and social neglect, making it a key read for those studying criminology or social work.
3. Readers interested in aging and social care issues: Focusing on elderly women in prisons, the book sheds light on the challenges of aging in a society that often lacks adequate support, making it relevant for those studying gerontology or interested in the social care of older adults.

How the Book Changed Me

1. The Shocking Reality of Elderly Women in Prisons: A Sense of Loneliness

I was shocked and saddened by the current situation where elderly women, in particular, are forced to accept prisons as their “place.” The fact that I, too, will inevitably become an elderly woman in the future made it hard for me to see this as someone else’s problem.

The realization that the loneliness and lack of social support felt in prisons, leading to recidivism, is not just about crime but stems from social exclusion and indifference, has broadened my understanding.

The discussion about the difficulty of balancing punishment and care, as well as the need for broader societal tolerance, is a perspective commonly seen in debates about social policies in Japan. The heavy observation about the divide between the “punishment” and “care” demanded by society, and the form of support both inside and outside of prisons, was a significant point.

2. Gratitude and Humility Toward My Environment

I found myself feeling a renewed sense of gratitude for my circumstances and became more humble. Through this book, I was forced to confront the fact that I had somehow thought that prisons and the people inside them had nothing to do with me. I realized just how narrow my perspective had been.

The understanding grew that not all prisoners have always lived as criminals, but their environments and circumstances have a significant influence. My own separation from these realities, the fact that I have not been one of them, was merely a stroke of luck.

Moreover, learning about the dilemma between treatment and punishment within prisons, and how this is a societal issue, made me feel a sense of responsibility. As an individual and a member of society, I realized there are things I can and should do.

3. Reaffirming the Importance of “Second Chances” in Society

I have re-recognized the importance of “second chances” in society. Even if someone ends up in prison due to past mistakes, prisoners do not remain there forever. They will eventually need to return to society and are expected to contribute to the community through work and taxes. To support this transition, education and guidance, received at any age when one feels ready to turn their life around, can be highly effective.

Also, as someone who hopes to become a mother in the future, I strongly believe that to ensure my children do not suffer from the idea of “losing the parental lottery,” I must first work on improving myself and lead a more fulfilling life. I feel a deep sense of gratitude toward my parents for guiding me to this point, and I’ve become even more aware of the responsibility I have for my continued growth moving forward.

My Top 3 Quotes

• “Even after serving their sentence and returning to society, many elderly people find themselves with no home and no one to welcome them. In such cases, prison seems better, and many end up returning to it repeatedly.”（「刑を終えて社会に復帰しても、家がない、出迎えてくれる人もいない。ならば刑務所のほうがいいと、何度も戻ってきてしまう高齢者が多い」）ーp.27
• “In Japan, the issue often becomes a binary debate of ‘punishment or treatment,’ but that approach does not solve the problem. Isn’t it possible to think of a model where treatment is embedded within punishment, and punishment is embedded within treatment?” （「日本では「刑罰か治療か』の二元対立論になりやすいが、それだと問題は解決しない。刑 罰の中に治療があり、治療の中に刑罰があるといった考え方がもっとできないものか」） — p.234
• “Prison is often seen as something that only affects ‘special’ people, leading many to believe it has nothing to do with them. However, this is not the case. [excerpt] Many people think they are unrelated to drugs or prisons, but the prisoners who are serving time didn’t live their lives with the expectation of ending up there. The fact that they grew up without being involved in drugs or crime is because their parents and the communities they were raised in weren’t connected to such issues. It could also be viewed as ‘just a matter of luck.’ When an individual genuinely wants to repent and take on new challenges, is society prepared to offer opportunities that can lead to new jobs and lifestyles? Is it a society where women, who are more likely to become victims of domestic violence, can live independently both financially and emotionally? Even if there are periods when people want to work but cannot due to childbirth, child-rearing, or caregiving, is it a society where they can remain untroubled and seek support when needed? In other words, it’s not just about questioning the individual’s crimes, but also about the broader question of the society outside the prison walls.” （塀の中に入るのは特殊な人間で、自分とは関係ないと思いがちだが、決してそうではない。 …自分は薬物使用や刑務所とは無縁だと思っている人が多いが、服役中の受刑者も、最初か ら自分が入所すると思って生きてきたわけではない。無関係に育ってこられたのは、親や、生まれ育った地域が薬物や犯罪に関係していなかったからで、「たまたま運が良かっただ け」という見方もできよう。罪を改め、新たな挑戦をしたいと本人が本気で思ったとき、新しい仕事や生活につながる チャンスを用意できる社会であるかどうか。DV被害者になりやすい女性たちが経済的にも 精神的にも自立して暮らせる社会かどうか。出産・育児・介護などで働きたくても働けない 期間があっても、不安にならず、誰かに相談したいときには寄り添ってもらえる社会である かどうか――。本人の罪を問うだけでなく、塀の外の社会が問われている部分も大きいと感じる。）— p.238

The Old Woman Behind Bars leaves readers grappling with a pressing question:

Can a society that fails to care for its aging, marginalized citizens ever be called fair?

Inokuma’s exploration is a call not just for prison reform but for a broader shift in how we view care, punishment, and the responsibilities we have to one another, especially when life’s second chances are on the line.

As we reflect on these women’s stories, it’s hard not to question how much of this is truly a matter of fate and how much of it is simply the result of a system that leaves too many behind.