In Prison

About Life Behind Bars

Illustrator Patricia Thoma spent over two years repeatedly
visiting high-security prisons across Germany, engaging with
inmates through drawing. The result is a poignant collection of
illustrated stories that offer a rare glimpse into the thoughts and
daily lives of those behind bars—within their cells, at work, and
during therapy sessions. These narratives are often startling and
melancholic, yet they are tinged with a dark humor that adds
complexity to the stories.
Inside these walls, petty criminals and those grappling with
addiction share space with politically motivated offenders. The
severity of their crimes and their reasons for committing them
vary greatly. Yet, they are united by one common feeling: the
sense of abandonment and disregard by society. Many have
fallen into cycles of drugs, crime, and violence due to domestic
abuse, neglect, and a lack of opportunity.
While inmates are often defined solely by their offenses, they are
also individuals with families—many of whom have children in
foster care. The aim of incarceration is resocialization—preparing
them for life outside. And through it all, one thing remains
constant for all: the hope for a life free from crime, and the
longing to reunite with their families.

By the same artist

In Youth Detention Center

Life behind bars as told by young offenders This comic gives a voice to young people who share the feeling of being ignored and abandoned by society. But they have ...