Jessie Thomas' first stop was a fast food restaurant after being released from Tennessee Prison for Women. Diane Sawyer reports for "Hidden America: A Nation of Women Behind Bars" 20/20 on ABC. WATCH THE FULL EPISODE: abc.tv/2K3GL7M
I had inmates in corrections who were actually scared about being released, I had one woman request to stay longer at a halfway house to save more money for an apartment away from bad influences, and a juvenile who didn't want to be reunited with his family knowing he would be in trouble with the law again. No one should want to be in prison, that defeats the purpose, but some feel like they have nowhere else and will violate their probation to return
@@TheHALL2112 then when you get released and the real world is much worse for you than jail just what do you suggest then? You get released no roof over your head, no food to eat, no medication if you need it, danger of attack or worse. Just how bad would you make jail to overcome those? Oh and let's not forget you have no idea what's coming down the line in your life, innocent or not are you happy to accept what you propose knowing that there is some very, very small chance that you might have to face what you advocate for others.
She may have robbed because She has more stability in jail. How can someone get back on their feet with no home, no support, no money. The odds are against them. Sad☹️
They can go to a shelter. There are organisations to help. People rob and kill because they choose to. Theyre not forced. Millions go without and they dont rob others.
Imagine getting out of prison, and half your family is dead or on drugs and the people that are successful have completely forgot about you.that’s the case for most people who do a long sentence 🤦♂️
Jesse missed her GF and living in prison with her GF was preferable to sleeping on the streets alone. Maybe having a transitional program to provide support and ease these women back into society would reduce the recidivism rates to a level that isn't 50%.
I served 10 years in prison. My first year out I was able to buy a car, get and keep a job, get and keep my own place but it was hard and well worth the anxiety attacks and fear
@@mirroredrumor I'm so very sorry. My decisions hurt a lot of people mostly my children. You and your family are in my prayers. Keep your head up sweetheart
I remember when I got released from prison, I was feelingjust like Jessie. "Lots of choices, lots of freedom, and I was scared to make the wrong ones." And I did. I relapsed not even 48 hours after getting out. The freedom was too much for me to handle responsibly. I risked going back to prison but after a mental breakdown and subsequent detox (i had a trusted sober friend stay with me for a week at my house who comforted me when I was enduring the worst, God bless them) I am now 5 months sober. Its not easy at all but the support system I have gets me through my toughest days. One day at a time.
I never thought about them leaving their "prison friends" behind. Imagine spending decades with the same people day in and out and then you get released and leave them behind. That´s heavy.
So when they get released they are essentially homeless. They are forced to commit crimes to survive. All part of the profit motive of private prisons. Why can't they release them and give them a job at the prison until they find a better one?
Movie Games so what letting them free after they killed someone. THIS IS ONE FUCKIN REASON WHY KILLERS SHOULD DIE. IF THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO KILL SOMEONE. WHY THE FUCK AREN'T WE ALOUD TO DO THE SAME BUT TO THEM . DON'T ANSWER THAT. THINK ABOUT IT.
The privatization of prisons in the US has created a system that is focused on making money for the investors and NOT on helping the imprisoned to get on track or succeed in life. Profits over people :(
Good lord, the system ruined her only chance. They knew she needed her medication and they sent her out without it. I also questioned the family for not stepping in to get her to a doctor. This breaks my heart.
When i was 26 i spent 3 months in jail.That was enough for me to realize that freedom is the most precious thing in one's life.I'm an old man now and never spent another day locked.
Tirpitz19 what a realization...I haven't had your experience but man I fight each and every day I am alive on my farm to NEVER lose a moment of living free! I hear your words loud and clear and I'm kind of getting up in age now also and have made it thus far....Keep your spirit alive and there's more than you know rooting for your thought!
@@jamesringler987 This also yes...in the one second of signing your signature your in a capsule for so many years...however if your in position to accept that trudge and know you'll get past that date then do it otherwise don't!
Her release was created for her to end up back in prison! That's crazy!! No job waiting for her? No place to live? No medication to help her mental positivity??? No training in prison to help her understand how to make different choices??? There should be programs for release. Programs to help them know how to cope when they leave. They set her up to fail. Every government needs replacing with real people who actually care about others.
I agree it's a hell of a thing to lock someone in a cage with savages and let them live like animals at the damn pound and expect them to just fit in and fall in line in society when they get out... it's just sad.
Ridiculous how our (no)justice system is so unfair! My wife is one of these women, currently serving in a federal prison! Never got help from her attorney and I was even under investigation as an educator who recently retired after 30 years. My wife’s crime was being the manager of a federal credit union which was the 13th shut down in 2012. We didn’t have the money to take her case to a jury and she plea bargained on the advice of her attorney who threatened that even if we tried to take it to court she could be locked up for 30 years. Telling her that being a first time non-violent offender the judge would go easy on her. Her judge recently passed away, during her first attempt at compassionate release. She was charged with eight counts of wire fraud and sentenced to 15 years and a ridiculous restitution at the age of 59. She was manager of the federal credit union for 26 years. The prosecutor likened her case to a ponzy scheme. To this day not one member of the credit union lost out on their money or life savings. I was eventually released from the investigation but at the time had been married to my wife for 30 years. The federal government takes 25% of my retirement for her restitution.
Okay but was she guilty? You’re not saying what she did. You make it sound like she was arrested for being a manager. They must have had evidence against her. In most cases if you don’t have money and an attorney that has a relationship with the judge you’re in trouble.
@@marriejames01 No, forced to plea bargain cause we didn’t have $300,000 that they were asking for! If we had any experience in legal matters we would’ve taken a public attorney. I was under investigation to begin with as well and when they found nothing they stopped on me. You don’t know how this (no) justice system works until you’re put up against it, and if you are guilty you know how it works!
These women served their sentences! They deserve another chance, just like everyone else. More funding is definately needed to help these women get on their feet. They also need responsible people around them. I would suggest going to meetings to stay clean. When you go from one extreme to another the shock is enormous! I feel so hopeful for all of them.
Well, to be fair, their job wasn't to help people with their medical problems. But to punishing people for their bad deeds, they had paid for her medical bills for all the years in sentence already.
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confused teen what? A man who isn’t fucking stupid enough to fall for the old women tears? You’re the dumb one forgetting that she was tried, it doesn’t matter what the details were, because if they mattered enough she wouldn’t be in prison.
Freedom is literally the most precious thing I have my court date on May 22 and I’m facing 30 years and I’m only 21 years old knowing a big chunk of my life is going to be gone spent behind bars breaks me into two I know it’s easier said than done But always keep your head up look towards the positives and treat everyone in life with kindness, respect and compassion, and you’ll never end up in the situation I’m in
So right you are. Sadly, this happens to most who end up in prison. No one can survive without emotional support, money, a roof over their head, and much needed medications. Basic stability. Our system of, "justice" is in need of an overhaul.
It is so stupid we can spend so much money house them and take care of them in prison, but nothing when they leave? Wouldnt it be cheaper in the long run to give her a chance? We just end up paying for her incarceration over and over.
@@yousof8546 Jonathan I know you don't have an identity and you don't understand the world outside your bubble but don't make it so obvious using made-up political terms from 2012. It will always be cringe to defend an ideology worse than Nazism.
@@backup9911 okay joker pfp im sure youre a very wise person who I should listen to lmao. sad how defensive you get when you disagree with me but then again yall are always like this, now off you go crying
Nobody in this life has a clue what is coming down the line in their lives and how they will respond to the circumstances that they find themselves in. But so many feel they have a right to condemn people and assume they would never do such things and they are better. But there are many, many cases of people doing something totally out of character purely because of the unexpected circumstances they find themselves in. A hypothetical situation but is often very real: a wife at home with her family happy in her circumstances and living a peaceful life. One night her husband comes home and tells her he is leaving because he has found somebody else. She is suddenly left to bring up say three children with no income and no experience to earn the money that was coming into the family before. Husband disappears and pays no support, she gets a job but can't keep up with the bills and loses the home. Finds a place to rent but struggles with the bills, social service gets involved because there are reports her children are been neglected even though she is doing her best. One day no food for her children so she steals to feed them rather than lose them, she gets caught and sent to jail, kids go into the system and she loses them. Think it can't happen? well think again it does happen and more often than you think and the next case could just be you.
You don't send a mentally ill person back out into the world *without their medications for 9 days* and expect them to not go through withdrawal symptoms, and then unable to perform on the job. The system knows that this happens. It's like setting them up to end up back in prison. Then to make matters worse, her sister took her in for ONLY one night. No meds with the inevitable withdrawal symptoms from being forced to suddenly stop taking her meds and zero support from family. Of course "the system" knew she'd end up back in jail. smh.
How in the world can they turn a girl loose without her medication nowhere to sleep and nowhere to go, it's disgusting. They set her up for failure. What else was she supposed to do? Just sit on the curb on the sidewalk wither away because she has nothing to eat. I mean how far was that $66 supposed to get her? She should not have been released until she had a stable place to go. I totally blame the system on that one. Edit: thanks for the likes. Let's try to keep the conversation Humane please
Natanael Kohler ok I’m getting tired of this. PRISONS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE REHABILITATION CENTERS AND THATS WHAT THEY WERE AND ARE MEANT FOR. If you did something wrong you’re not meant to be punished only. You’re meant to learn from you’re mistakes and be taught the correct way to handle things.
They also make you check in to a parole officer and pay massive money. If you can’t get to a meeting or you can’t pay the high fees and attend classes, etc..etc..back to jail you go!
She did have a chance, though it was a rather low chance, but a chance none the less. Now she can either, fight to survive, or be thrown back into prison. That is her choice and that's a choice, that everyone on earth makes every day.
you know what you are whats wrong with this country and you belong in the same cell as these scumbags if you have this type of perspective on these lowlife clowns! there are almost an infinite number of ways people can change for the better in this country and blaming drugs as a scapegoat to re commit crimes is not the answer. these people need to seek god because they got a second chance!!!!!! HOW DARE YOU BLAME THE SYSTEM FOR THEIR ACTIONS!!!!!!!!!!
cljoe35 chill out dear. All I said was they "knew" she would fail. They didn't give her what her body was use to getting. Which, if you know about medication you would understand. And they didn't give her what they were supposed to give her. They failed!
So your telling me after she got done serving 29 years all she gets is 50 dollars 5 boxes of books and a thank you like wtf where is she supposed to spend the night, what is she gonna wear for tmrw, and what will she eat. I swear this shit is beyond me🤦♂️
@@ukmedicfrcs But like that you basically force them to be criminals again to survive. Countries that spend more money on rehabilitation have a far lesser crime rate.
@@etham1655 Thats BS. Many homeless come into the ER, some I have known for years and none of them have resorted to crimes. They use the resources available to them. Youre making excuses. They rob and steal because its easy and its their way of life. If you became homeless tomorrow, youre telling me you would rob someone?
Betty seems very kind. At any given moment, any one of us can make a mistake that’ll permanently change our life. I don’t know what she did to get sentenced to prison, but she served her time and now deserves a second chance at life. I hope she is doing okay now!
I can't imagine the severe loneliness she's to face in a world she hasn't been apart of for such a long time. I really hope she has a safety net on the outside.
Watching things like this helps me understand that many of us are already rich even if we are far from rich, we just don't see how others are less fortunate than we are.
why do some people not think OITNB is not realistic. (sure they're are some liberties I assume for television, but a few) I remember reading some comments saying that the gladiator stuff by the guards was so unrealistic, but in actuality it has happen in the real prison/jail system multiple times.
Of course you think they just made up the show out of thin air? Obviously there are a lot of female prisons where they took inspirations from for the show.
orange is the new black was based off of the book piper Kerman wrote about her experience in a women's prison, so it would make sense for it to be realistic.
But, she DID make a decision. She decided to go steal again. I hope you feel all heartbroken and sympathetic when a multi-conviction criminal steals stuff from YOU.
@@juliandoespolitics4275 YOU SAID: "she was off her medication" == Tell me, which situation is more likely to you? 1) A convicted criminal and drug addict is telling the truth, the prison denied her meds, the "news" channel listened to this, but didn't bother to ask the prison about why they denied her meds. or 2) The convicted criminal and drug addict is also a chronic liar, the prison gave her the meds, but she denied getting them because she wanted more, and the "news" channel DID ask the prison why she didn't get her meds, and they said, "pffttt, she says that all the time, she's a criminal junkie thief, we gave her the meds, and her own family is so sick of her lies that they won't even take her in for more than a day or two at a time." But, the "news" channel didn't show that part, because it doesn't look good in the eyes of the gullible saps who believe every damned thing they see on TV. By the way, I have a bridge for sale. Interested?
It's almost like she was set up, by the system, to fail. I thought she should have had a sponsor to give her a place to live, and assist her to get on her feet. She needed help with food, meds, and other necessities. Where is her family? This poor lady should have never slipped through the cracks like this.
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name. Amen. jnjn
I hate to say it but this is honestly wonderful to see people actually coming out and getting better almost brings a tear to my eye, I know people who were locked up 40 years and so on and they still struggle but the fact these women are strong enough to live life after all that time I have to say they are more than strong they are invincible.
i did 8 months in the county jail and i was 16 years old , spent my 17th birthday in there as well, it changed me for the better, and the feeling i fekt after being released was just amazing, cant imagine how she felt after being locked up for 29 years wtf
it's sad to me that these inmates that get let free and have been working to get their life together, end up back in the block for petty crimes. I think people that go to prison should have rehabilitation programs, men and both women.
They have those but its just how society works. A job will hire someone with no criminal history over someone with out. Same thing how they say if you get recorded as a sex offender your life is practically ruined
I live in AZ. I was part of The Real Deal, reintergration program for exoffenders. We even had a cubicle @ DOC, in Phx. It was a good program, but could not figure out the funding, we volunteered for over 2 years under the umbrella of LDRC. I wish i could put this program back in effect. Our success rate was 84-86%. 😢😢😢😢😢
For what i heard you Americans have a law that every other country abolished,it gives money to the prison "system" so tehnicaly,your government lock up people to make money in some way.
Behind the bar can be so hilarious. Yeah you are actually right but situation of thing's around her can be so complicated. Less thank GOD for our Freedom. Where are you from?
Being indoors is not the same as being incarcerated. When you're in prison you can't choose to order a pizza, you can't choose to make yourself a meal. You don't have a comfortable bed or the ability to watch any movie you want. It's not the fact of being indoors, it's the freedom to do whatever she chooses, indoors or out.
With Diane Sawyer, you never know what you're going to get. She spent over a total of an hour, advertising her interview with the queen . This was when we were supposed to be getting some world news. She should have retired years ago.
+Vicki Z. exactly whatever she feels shouldn't matter, she deserves much more for taking a life. she got left off easy. so don't feel bad she's lucky she's still breathing.
+Jupiter Dragon i don't feel bad for her...... She should not kill... I hope she feels very guilty for the rest of her life..... I feel bad for the victim and his/her family
I got locked up at 18 went down the cut at 19 got a ticket for falling asleep in school she was my jail lawyer. Betty had a heart of gold. I was there when they came down but I didn't want to get interviewed. Under 21 you automatically have to go to school.
@@kevenwoods7939 it’s actually not simple at all. you have no idea what kind of situation she was in. the thing she stole could’ve been what let her or her family literally live.
Well i done about 20yrs on and off this is the longest I've been out since my start 13almost14yrs I will never be normal again not that I ever was but most people in prison are there for drug addition my heart goes out to the people in this video I'm not on drugs since 26yrs but I'll never fully adjust in this life
"This poor, kind woman! how can the American Justice system be so corrupt?!" Guys... this woman is a fucking murderer, she might turn a new leaf but it dosen't change the fact that she deserved to be thrown in there.
its all about job security ,,the cops wives and husbands need employment to ,, guards are usually married to cops ,, its all part of the system to keep certain people employed ,, she might have taken a life in self defense and did not need rehab , the system however does need the criminal to keep them employed
RepublicOfCatyes In that case it wouldnt be second degree murder it would be self defence or manslaughter, second degree murder is usually killing someone through lack of responsibility but not directly intentional, so not paying attention and running someone over with your car as opposed to intentionally planning it out and stabbing someone
My younger brother get out next week. And I'm thankful that he does have me, a place to go to etc. Our mother is deceased and the little family we do have, he sort of burned his bridges with them. It's just hard when you dealing with a family who an addict. I am super nervous when he gets out, but don't want to turn him away. Because if I do he will most likely end up in a shelter on the streets etc. I pray this time is his time of change.
Makes me sad to see this .I pray the woman get the help they need and medication. When they get out.it brakes my heart to see this . And a place to live .
I know that these women went into prisoners for reasons but I gotta admit that I feel bad for them..that old women is so nice and kind... time changes ppl... so these girls can be completely different coming out
you wouldn't say that if the person she killed was on of your loved ones. maybe she did change over time but that feeling of loss for that family will never go away. she scared them for life.
You cant deem the people evil forever, she may have take someones life but she cant change it. She has to get on with her life just like the grieving family would. And she should be allowed to.
+BCLR 1703 I think you missed the point. Yes, you are correct in what you said, but, once you did your time and released and it's hard to get a job because of your record, it's really hard to live without re-offending, just to eat a decent meal, a roof over your head every day/night. Yes, they were in prison, jail or whatever for whatever, for whatever bs they put themselves into..or was guilty by association, they payed their dues and tried. The only ones that make it, without re-offending, are those who have a mega strong support group, whether it's family, friends or both. But, with that said, some do make it on they own legitimately. Each case has it's own "after-story".
I am on the fence about it considering just a month later she robbed two pharmacies. They must know what type of person she is, and they may have small children in the household. But if it was my sister, she would stay with me until she gets on her feet.
I guess, whe dont know what happened and drug addicts tend to lie. If people dont want to be saved, they probably dont let other people save them. With my sis I would do anything humanly possible to save her, but then she never endangered my children, lied, stole from me or sth. like that (which could have happened with that lady... we dont know.). Its sad, nontheless. Obviously she wanted to be with her gf. Getting her from jail straight into some kind of closed therapy would have been good...
Not sure if you've had this experience, but one of my great uncles is a drug addict and a con man. My grandparents have tried again and again to help him on his feet but he stole from them thousands of dollars over the years. It's to the point where he's threatened them and the rest of the family. I'd be willing to bet that the sister is in a similar situation to where she just doesn't trust her.
@Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Ya but when they leave they ended making a crime again to end up back there because they have no where to live and it's they only safe place they know
The system failed her completely! There should have been no reason to send her out with no meds! I'm convinced she was at a point that she knew she needed them commuted a crime an went back! ....had she have only known the er at most hospitals could have helped! They don't prepare u for release at all! They set u up to reoffend!
Jennifer Neisler, whilst I'm not knowledgable of the regulations in place, within the prison, I'm confident that the wardens would have followed protocol to the letter and had protocol dictated that she's given a weeks supply of drugs; I'd like to imagine that the prison wardens weren't inept enough to have forgotten it. However, with that said, as neither of us are in the position to assert our views are accurate, I'm just going to leave it to speculation.
The system did not fail her the producers of this report failed her. They knew she was in crisis and did nothing to help her. This was not a nature show where you watch the baby gazelle get eaten by the lion this was a human being that NEEDED help and they turned a blind eye while they make money from their ratings and advertising off of her. They are the guilty ones they should have made sure she could have seen a doctor and gotten her medication THE DAY SHE WAS RELEASED if they were using her for their story.
Most prisons do prepare you for the out side world they set you up with charities I know places prisoners go live for an extended times to and help you get a job and on your feet she's a grown up if she can't make it then that's on her that's the way the world is too tough for some people
Ultimately, while revenge is a powerful motivator for society, what we should want in the end is rehabilitation (for those who realistically CAN change).
that girl robbed a pharmacy because they let her on the streets with no way to take care of herself or even any medication. she probably just wanted to go back and be with her wife in the joint!
A sisterhood that I want absolutely no part of! Fuck these people! They don't deserve any special treatment or freedom for murdering people, the rest of us walking around in society who go through a daily battle to be productive members of society and control ourselves, don't get special treatment for it. Why should they ?
Most women in prison for murder are there on self defense against an abusive husband or partner, but despite this still get long sentenves. Even if they helped hide a body against their will for an abusive partner they'll get life in prison. Not every women with murder charges but a lot.
Maybe her sister has young children who need to be put first? Would you want a mentally ill, violent offender and drug addict in your home with your kids? I wouldn't give my sister a single night in my home either because the second I fell asleep, she would start clearing out my valuables. She obviously has a history of exploitative behavior so the family already know what she will do if they give her another chance. I imagine this woman has had many, many chances.
Wait, these prisons don’t have any re-entry programs? They stopped her meds? How is that legal? Really though, that should be considered unethical for a physician to allow her to leave prison without medication.
You can blame that young womans PoS sister for her eturning back to prison. The woman just got out has nowhere to go, doesnt have a job, has no support group outside of prison and her sister could only keep her one night? Are you serious?
That's what I thought, like really you can't help her out? Help her find a job or a stable place to live? Have her do chores to keep her stay or something? lol wtf
