Lea DeLaria, one of the stars of Neflix’s hit show “Orange Is the New Black,” wants people to recognize that the issues behind the #MeToo movement affect women in prison just as much as they do women in the workplace.
“They’re sexually harassed, they’re raped, they have no one they can go to to talk about it,” DeLaria told Cheddar. “They’re silenced.”
The actress joined us for #chedHER, our special day of programming devoted to celebrating women’s accomplishments across several industries.
“Orange is the New Black” has helped spur a national dialogue about prison reform and poor conditions for incarcerated women. DeLaria says these issues weren’t part of the national conversation before the show became so popular.
“People are aware of these horrifying issues for women in prison now,” DeLaria said, noting that most people weren’t talking about these issues before the show.
Piper Kerman, the woman whose memoir the show is based on, and other “OINTB” actresses are getting involved with the Women’s Prison Association, an advocacy group for women behind bars.
Filming is currently underway for the show’s sixth season.
For full interview, click here.
