Unveiling 'Tener Ficha': Power, Prestige, and Survival in Chilean Criminal Worlds

• In Event: International Perspectives on Gender-Based Violence

Abstract

In the Chilean context, "tener ficha" refers to having a criminal record in the police files. However, similar to the idea of the code of the street, the same concept is applied within the criminal context to those with a renowned criminal trajectory and typically involves a leadership position among peers and a disposition to use violence when needed. Through qualitative interviews with a group of40 incarcerated women, this study explores the multifaceted nature of "tener ficha," revealing its role in shaping identities and relationships within criminal environments. Women describe "tener ficha" as a form of prestige that generates respect among peers and a sense of empowerment. Within carceral structures, "tener ficha" affords benefits by guaranteeing safety. However, its acquisition demands constant visibility and adherence to unspoken codes, with latecomers facing skepticism and marginalization. Interestingly, "tener ficha" also serves as a narrative of survival, allowing women to reinterpret their experiences of precarity and violence as testimonies of strength and resilience. This gendered component sheds light on the unique challenges and strategies employed by women in navigating criminal worlds, emphasizing the need for gender-sensitive approaches in understanding offending as a space not only of illegality but also of care and agency.

Authors

• Renata Boado, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Instituto Milenio para la Investigación en Violencia y Democracia, Núcleo Milenio para la Evaluación y Análisis de Políticas de Drogas

• Pilar Larroulet, Rutgers University

• Valeria Pinto, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile