Love, Justine

MUNCY STATE PRISON

INTERVIEW

“Jupiter”

White

Female

41yrs 

Three daughters

History of mental illness?

Yes, PTSD, Bipolar II, anxiety/depression

Trauma?

Childhood sexual abuse, neglect/emotional abuse by mother–led to physical abuse in relationships as an adult

Addiction?

Mostly alcohol, marijuana started when stepdad provided alcohol at 10yrs old

How long have you been incarcerated in your lifetime?

Seven years

This time?

Three years

What happened?

Mismanaged mental health, awful history of coping with substances, DUI, slew of reckless endangerments–hit a pick-up truck, sideswiped a school bus, 7am, car died, sat there

Sentence: 1-2 years

Original charge–4th offense DUI with Child Endangerment, 2-5 years in 2018–maxes in August–has one year left.

Public Defender/Plea Deal

Wanted to take it to trial, threatened with being charged separately, not run concurrent, more time

Have you been to rehab?

Yes, once, in 2010–didn’t stay sober, didn’t want to go.

Police waited two hours to draw blood, mom had just died. 

“Knowing what I know now, I should have worked on mental health stuff.”

Sexually abused by stepdad–hot tub, motorcycle, alcohol, Mom said not to act so slutty, Mom said Jupiter was jealous of her.

–Had DUI in 200 or 2001 first time

How were you treated by the police, court system, etc.?

“I was held to a higher standard because I had a college education, and because I was a woman and a mother.”

What are your plans for the future?

“I probably down the road want to be a domestic violence counselor, want to let other women know that they’re not alone, we can make a difference, our stories matter.”

DUI’s seemed to always correlate with negative life events

“I don’t think the system cares about that stuff.”

Do you think prison is rehabilitative?

“No. Not the DOC (Department of Corrections), I have met people or groups here that have helped me. I feel like it’s a numbers game.”

What do you do for fun?

“I love to be outside, hiking, skiing, music is a must. Playing with my girls when they were little.”

“I feel [the DOC] needs a lot more trauma-informed people in the system. The Parole Board told me I’m not capable of change. It makes no sense to not understand the person as a whole.”