Ecuador - Imprisoned Innocence

This will soon be up on the Fly-Ins Web site but I really want to post it so here goes.

I did a story on children who live with their mothers in the Central Ibarra Penitentiary in Ibarra, Ecuador. I spent Monday through Friday documenting them and even spent Wednesday night in jail so I could spend late night and early morning with them.



Betty Padilla looks at her husband, Leo, who is an inmate at the men’s prison next door, after passing food to him through a heavy iron door.


Anna Zolano kisses her one-year-old daughter, Leslie, during roll-call at 7:30 a.m.


Guards wait for the women to return to their bunks before locking the doors to each section at 8 p.m.


Leonela Padilla, 2, peers over her mother’s shoulder as she washes clothes for money.


Toys like this abandoned baby doll are harsh reminders of the innocent children living behind bars.


Joselyn Diane Maigua, 6, receives food for her family.


Yolanda Brusil, 23, feeds her 9-month-old daughter, Valeria Alejandra.


After a fight with her brother, Leonela Padilla, 2, cries alone.


Anna Zolano hugs her one-year-old daughter, Leslie.


Children play in the courtyard at night under the empty watchtower.


Janette Portilla, 35, lights a candle to read her Bible as her daughter, Britney, 2, sleeps.