(Email from Carlos woman about the trials of the 66-year-old we previously wrote about.) “I’ve known Sue for 14 years, we’ve been in the trenches together all over Perryville, medium and minimum custody. I remember a vibrant redhead, very articulate, but shocked by prison because she (like me) had no priors, not even a parking ticket.

Her life on the outside had been harsh however, she had been the victim of a horrific crime. Sue’s assailant had beaten her so badly that she died on the table 3 times. I saw pictures of her smashed head in the ER and it resembled an eggplant, not a human face. As a result of her injuries, she was labeled Severely Mentally ill.

Later she found herself in an abusive relationship where she was subjected to more physical trauma. One day that abuser tried to kill her, and she fought back. As you may know, there is no such thing as “self-defense” in Arizona, so when her abuser died Sue was sent to prison for 15 years flat time.

As we all know, there is no rehabilitation at the DOC. Sue endured more trauma and abuse at the hands of the state for her entire sentence. The woman I walked to the gate now wears diapers, uses a cane, is emaciated and shrunken, has a titanium rod in her leg, and has a vacant look in her eye. She has had her spirit beaten out of her, and untold years taken from her lifespan, due to toxic water, cigarette smoke, substandard health care, and slop for food.

Even her journey out of captivity was not helped by staff of the DOC. Sue’s COIII, who is supposed to start this process 6 months from release, never helped her. He seemed annoyed she had no family, no income, or any place to go after her incarceration. (Sue’s only child died from a drunk driver while she was in prison). This COIII told Sue to research halfway houses on her own. 60 days to the gate he finally gave her a government ID, but did not assign a parole officer until 24 hours prior to leaving. She was on her own trying to get out of here.

Was there any mental health care for this SMI-institutionalized individual? Hell no! Had Sue ever in 15 years been put in a major program? ANY program? Again, hell no. The world has changed dramatically in 15 years, did they give her any reentry counseling? Oh, wait…that’s in the name, right? Rehabilitation and Reentry? Yeah. Sue was put out the door like yesterday’s trash. She had been out of her psych meds for 9 days, and was in the throes of severe withdrawal, throwing up, diarrhea, and hallucinations.

Nice job ADCRR….. you’re the king of elderly abuse!”