The death penalty is one of the most hotly debated issues in every society. While it was abolished in the UK in 1965, many countries around the world, including the US, still use it as a form of punishment. In many countries, such as Iran, Iraq and China, the death penalty is used for crimes such as drug trafficking and armed robbery.

Iran’s usage of capital punishment is second only to China. Women can be hanged following unfair trials where confessions have been given under torture. It’s been reported that in 2015, at least 830 people were executed, including four young offenders.

Khatereh is just 13 years old

Award-winning photographer Sadegh Souri has been capturing images of life inside these inhumane prisons in an attempt to show the world the shocking reality these prisoners face.

These women often have to queue for hours for food. Many also have children to feed, as they keep their children with them until they are two years old.

Shaqayeq, 15, has been in prison for almost a year on the charge of armed robbery. Her death sentence has been issued, but she must reach 18 for the verdict to be carried out. This photo was taken when her grandmother came to visit her after a year in prison.

Amnesty International Middle East Deputy Director Said Boumedouha said: “Iran is one of the few countries that continues to execute juvenile offenders in blatant violation of the absolute legal prohibition on the use of the death penalty against people under the age of 18 years at the time of the crime.” These photos are an insight into a world that is unimaginable for those of us in countries with a more developed justice system. But for these women, the world captured by Sadegh Souri is sadly all too real.