Women Beyond Walls, the podcast amplifying the voices of women affected by incarceration, has released a new minisode titled “From Poverty to Punishment”.

The episode features Olivia Rope, executive director of Penal Reform International (PRI), in conversation with podcast host Sabrina Mahtani, a human rights lawyer and activist.

It examines how poverty and discrimination are central drivers of women’s incarceration globally. With nearly one million women imprisoned worldwide, and numbers rising at a faster rate than men’s, the discussion highlights how minor offences and systemic inequalities are leading to disproportionate punishment.

“Justice systems are not just failing poor women; they are actively criminalising poverty,” Rope says. “Many women are in prison for offences such as unpaid fines, shoplifting, debt or low-level drug-related offences. Charges often tied to poverty and survival.”

It also points to examples of reform, including Colombia’s 2023 law enabling women with caregiving responsibilities to serve community sentences instead of prison terms, and Belgium’s recognition of sex work as formal labour. These developments demonstrate how bold leadership and policy change can provide effective alternatives to incarceration.

“It [Prison] is definitely a feminist issue,” says Rope. “And we need more feminist forums or women’s rights forums or gender equality forums to include women who are in contact or in conflict with the law as an issue on the agenda.”

The minisode forms part of Season 2’s series of in-depth conversations on global justice reform geared towards women.

Watch the full episode now or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.