Heather Jarvis: My name is Heather Jarvis, and I sat down with Miss Elizabeth Green late Friday morning before institutional count. She was eager to share her testimony, and I was hungry to listen. I was apprehensive about approaching Miss Green at first, but the interview soon taught me she’s an open book and has a spirit that screams to be heard. Miss Green is a tutor at the institution, helping other inmates attain their GED. She herself felt like she wasn’t smart enough to even get hers, until in 2018 when she finally reached her goal. She now vows to help others attain the same accomplishment. She loves giving back what has been given to her.
She feels prison saved her life, and she would be dead otherwise. “It’s all part of God’s plan,” she said. And Elizabeth’s sentence was commuted from death row to a walk. Being on death row was the hardest thing she’d ever had to face. Being 24 when she first got in prison, and now 57, the person who committed her crime is long gone. And in its place, sitting in front of me, is a God-fearing woman who firmly believes in staying true to yourself, having faith, and aspires to love everyone. “As long as I’m alive, there’s still hope,” she stated with tears.
She was an abused child who came from a dysfunctional home, being faced to grow up fast. Considered unruly at 13, her rebellion was sparked by this abuse and the fact that she had to caretake all of her younger siblings. Although she has been abandoned in prison by her blood family, she has still managed to make true connections that are solid. “I thought family was supposed to stick together. I thought that is what love was about,” she said of those who have left her, but is very grateful for the ones who are in her life now. She regrets ever becoming an addict and would change it if she could. She did not plan for anyone to die. “I should have said no, but I can’t go back.” She sighed a deep sigh, then beared her burden. “All I can do is hope for a chance.” That’s all she is asking for, America, is a chance. After 33 years, she doesn’t feel she deserves it, but she prays for it every day. Here’s Elizabeth.
Elizabeth Green: Hello, my name is Elizabeth Ann Green. After 33 years of being in prison, I have learned to give back instead of hurting others. It is very sad that I had to come to prison to learn that I should not do drugs and not hurt others in order to get money. I have done many things to improve myself. These things include taking Victim Awareness, Thinking for a Change, and drug-related groups among others. I try very hard to mentor other inmates coming to prison, so they don’t become like me. Learning the hard way like I did, each day I tried to improve my life and heirs. Being in a place like this can become very hard, but I fight to change ways of thinking so I will never have to repeat my past mistakes. Now, I just want to give back. I even earned my GED, and now I am a tutor, love learning and growing. My name is Elizabeth Green, and I am a life worthy of progress. Thank you.
These commentaries are recorded by Prison Radio.
