NEW YORK — Sara Bennett, a former public defender, published the book "Looking Inside: Women With Life Sentences" through Kehrer Verlag. The book features photographs taken over more than a decade of women convicted of homicide and sentenced to life in New York state.

Karen was incarcerated at age 35 in 1982 under a sentence of 25 years to life. She served 35 years and was released in 2017. Bennett photographed Karen in the visiting room at Taconic Correctional Facility in Bedford Hills, N.Y., and in a homeless shelter in New York four weeks after her release.

"Parole sent me to a homeless assessment centre in the South Bronx," Karen said. "The quality of the food and bedding was a lateral move from prison. But, factoring in my freedom, there's no question it was an improvement." Karen stated she is living in a shelter run by the Women's Prison Association. "I feel safe and secure," she said.

Judy, 69, was photographed in the nursery at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in 2019. She was incarcerated at age 31 in 1981 under a sentence of 75 years to life. "People ask me why I smile so much," Judy said. "It's not that I'm always happy." She described suffering the pains of imprisonment, including separation from loved ones and being strip-searched after visits. "Every day, I carry the burden of guilt for my crime and all the pain and loss I am responsible for," Judy said. "I cannot change that. But I can decide how to wake up each morning and meet the day."

Andrea, 64, was photographed in a recreation room at Taconic Correctional Facility in 2020. She was incarcerated at age 46 in 2001 under a sentence of 20 years to life and was released in 2020.

Veronica, 53, was photographed in her apartment in Flushing, N.Y., in 2021. She was incarcerated for 27 years under a sentence of 25 years to life and was released in 2019.

Sahiah, 23, was photographed at the college library at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in 2019. She was incarcerated at age 16 in 2011 under a sentence of 20 years to life.

Carol, 69, was photographed in supportive housing in Long Island City, N.Y., in 2017. She served 35 years of a 25-years-to-life sentence and was released in 2013.

Jennifer, 40, was photographed in her apartment in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 2021, 15 months after her release. She served 17.5 years and was released in 2020.

Assia, 35, was photographed in a baby clothes storeroom at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in 2018. She was incarcerated at age 19 in 2003 under a sentence of 18 years to life.

Linda, 70, was photographed in a recreation room for the medically unemployed at Taconic Correctional Facility in Bedford Hills in 2019. She was incarcerated at age 43 in 1992 under a sentence of 30 years to life.

Evelyn, 42, was photographed in Queens, N.Y., in 2014, and in Astoria, N.Y., in 2015. She served 17 years of a 15-years-to-life sentence and was released in 2012.