Woman Sentenced to 12-Years for Marijuana Released From Prison

It was a welcome home two years in
the making.  Today marked the end of a prison sentence for an entire
family.

Patricia Spottedcrow welcomed her children home from school, surprising them as
they got off the bus in front of the family's home.  The reunion was one
of laughter, cheers and tears.  Spottedcrow says her entire family served
the sentence with her as she struggled to stay in contact with the four little children
while she was serving time in the women's prison.

Spottedcrow went to prison in December of 2010.  She was sentenced to more
than a decade behind bars for selling a small amount of marijuana.  It was
a mistake, but one Spottdcrow says she never knew would thrust her into the
spotlight.

Spottedcrow's sentence brought national attention to Oklahoma's tough
sentencing rules for drug offenses.  Spottedcrow says she hopes her case
brings about reforms for other women in prison.  She says women in prison
are not given the same opportunities to work off their sentences and she was
not given alternative sentencing options prior to prison. 

Attorneys volunteered their time to help get her sentence reduced.  A
review of similar crimes in Kingfisher County revealed other similar crimes
resulted in less severe sentences.  Laura Deskin, Spottedcrow's current
attorney, says her release was a victory that Spottedcrow earned through two
years of hard work.

The pardon and parole board recommended early release and the Governor signed
off on the release after adding a community sentencing requirement.  Woman Sentenced to 12-Years for Marijuana Released From Prison

Posted: Thursday, November 29 2012, 09:51 PM CST