Content warning: this article briefly mentions suicidal ideation.

Reputation is often regarded as a precious asset, something to be carefully guarded and protected. But what happens when your reputation is tarnished, perhaps even destroyed, by a criminal conviction?

Twelve percent of women with criminal records in the UK identify stigma as their primary challenge, according to Unlock, a charity that supports and advocates for people with criminal records. This stigma affects various aspects of their lives, including employment, housing and relationships.

Black Ballad spoke with two remarkable women who are reshaping their lives – and in the process, what it means to be an ex-convict – after their release from prison.