Holloway Documentary Captures Trauma and Resilience of Incarcerated Women

A new documentary offers a poignant look at the lives of women returning to the former HMP Holloway in London, revealing the deep-seated trauma that often leads to incarceration. This film offers a crucial examination of a system that disproportionately affects vulnerable individuals.

Inside Holloway’s Walls

The documentary, filmed in 2021, revisits the now-demolished HMP Holloway with six women. They share their stories, providing a raw glimpse into their past. All the women experienced childhood trauma, often masking it with substance abuse or unhealthy relationships. Two are now charity CEOs: Aliyah Ali and Mandy Ogunmokun, both dedicated to helping disadvantaged women. Also featured is the poet Lady Unchained.

The documentary’s director, Sophie Compton and Daisy-May Hudson, of the just-released film “Lollipop,” sought to show the cruelty and injustice the women faced. The film shows scenes of the women revisiting their cells and the prison. The women are unflinchingly articulate and brave as they recount their histories.

The Power of Shared Experiences

The film’s structure focuses on intimate workshop sessions held in the old prison chapel. The workshops are led by Lorraine, with a trauma psychotherapist present. The film’s producers worked closely with the six women, who had input on the final cut and had access to a psychotherapist throughout the process.

“I’ll always be sad my whole life,”

—a woman in the documentary, on her childhood sexual abuse experience

One in three women in prison in the United States have experienced physical or sexual abuse, and a study conducted by the National Institute of Justice shows that incarcerated women are often victims of violence (NIJ 2024).

Essential Viewing

This collaborative documentary feels essential, especially for policymakers. “Holloway” aims to give policymakers essential viewing, highlighting the need for reform within the justice system.