Belly of the Beast
Belly of the Beast
7.3100%83%
When an unlikely duo discovers a pattern of illegal sterilizations in women's prisons, they wage a near impossible battle against the Department of Corrections.
Kevin Ward reviewedJuly 7, 2025
Really powerful documentary that sheds light on a pattern forced sterilizations, unauthorized hysterectomies, and other general inadequacy in health care for women (particularly women of color) in the California Department of Corrections. It’s extremely troubling seeing the eugenics playbook being an active part of our criminal justice system in the CA DOC, and even more so that it’s very likely also happening in many other states as well. What is with our wont to govern women’s bodies and their reproductive health in particular? Kelli Dillon’s story is heartbreakingly sad and impossible not to be moved by her account. Highly recommend this doc, especially given the other events taking hold in the US Justice system.