Photographer Clara Vannucci began photographing the prisons of New York City in 2009. Since then, her images have revealed the lifestyle and faces of those incarcerated in the U.S. prison system.
Rikers Island is New York City's main jail complex, located on an island in the East River between Queens and the mainland Bronx.
The Battered Women section specializes in rehabilitating those women whose crimes are related to the physical and sexual abuses they've experienced.
Many of the inmates are mothers who are unable to see their children except on holidays and visiting hours.
After first arriving at Rikers Island, Clara quickly learned that prisoners are not allowed to own mirrors, as a mirror is considered a capable weapon.
Because of that, some of these incarcerated women haven’t seen their own face in years.
Clara writes, "The most beautiful aspect of this project for me is the fact that, with my pictures, I can offer these women a mirror."
Clara Vannucci is a photographer specializing in editorial and commercial projects. To view more of her work, check out her website at http://www.claravannucci.com/.
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