Three women doing time at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in Clinton told News 12 New Jersey?s Karla Roth what life is like in prison.

Ameenah Jones, Kathleen Dunleavey and Kelly Brown came from different parts of New Jersey but all ended up behind bars. After spending time in the maximum-security facility, all three were moved to the minimum-security area next to the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility. The inmates in that building are moved there based on good behavior.

Prisoners at the minimum-security building have different jobs, from yard work to highway clean-up. The three women say though the building doesn?t look like a prison, it is. They say violent fights break out regularly.

?Anything can be coming at you or your way in any direction and you?ll never see it coming,? Dunleavey said.

The women say they try to keep to themselves to avoid confrontations and stay out of trouble. However, they say keeping to themselves can get lonely, and that loneliness often leads to romantic relationships with other women.

Statistics show approximately half of all female inmates will return to prison. Officials say the women often return to their same bad habits when they get out, which often lands them back behind bars.

Related Information:Women in Lockup - Part I