Meet Karen Brown – 40 Years Incarcerated

Greetings!

Karen Brown called us for the first time a few months ago to reflect on forty years of incarceration. “I’ve been behind bars since before Michael Jordan was a rookie, before the International Space Station, before it was no longer a misdemeanor to be gay in Kentucky.”

Listen to “40th Anniversary” here

Other prisoners with serious charges have been granted parole. But Karen, a sixty-two year old woman, a lesbian, currently recovering from a painful knee surgery, was given a serve-out in 2021. This means no more parole hearings and she must serve the duration of the sentence. Without legal action, or a commutation from Kentucky’s Governor, Brown will die in prison. 

The longest continuously incarcerated woman in Kentucky, Karen’s case was sensationalized by a local press apparatus enamored with true crime stories sprinkled with ‘80s homophobia. It was portrayed as a lurid tale of a gold-digging woman manipulating her lesbian lover into murdering her wealthy husband for money. But according to Karen, her codefendant was being abused. Karen was twenty-one at the time, navigating a hostile media environment which would continue profiting from her story in the form of dramatic made-for-TV specials and true crime books. She was given a sentence of twenty-five to life.

Her sentence rocked the tight-knit queer community of Lexington. “What happened to her hit a lot of us pretty hard back then,” said a friend and supporter, “It could’ve been any one of us.”

Karen recalls threats from her codefendants upon entering prison, and remembers feeling isolated due to the high profile of her case. Despite this, she maintained a clean record, committing herself to schooling. “I knew I’d meet the board, you know, in twenty-five years. I wanted to have a good record. Some of it was to make my family proud…I guess trying to make amends to myself and my family, my community.”

Karen Brown before incarceration

By the logic of the carceral system, Karen is a perfect example of rehabilitation. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology and a Master’s Degree in Counseling. She is a prolific artist, working with paint and found materials. Brown often paints birds and sends them out to friends and supporters as thanks. She is also a fixture in the prison chapel, where she plays music and offers guidance to the younger women in the prison. “I tried to be the person for other people that I didn’t feel like I had when I was 20 and 21, when I ended up coming here.” If released she hopes to continue educating and mentoring young women.

“A Pair of Bluejays” By Karen Brown

As the population of the prison has aged, Karen and some of the other inmates in the chapel have formed a hospice care team. She finds the work emotionally difficult, but enormously important and rewarding. “In my early years, we never had a need for it, really. The population got older and sicker.” She fears growing old in prison. “Sometimes I see myself ending up in that position and I’m like, lord. Most of us are older doing it. Who’s gonna look after me when I get like that, if I’m still here?” 

Karen’s commentaries expose the hypocrisy of the prison system.

Listen to Karen’s commentaries here

She writes not only about her own sentence, but about her hope for change, and her commitment to those around her. “If you’re listening to me right now, I want to say, ‘Thank you.”

What can we do to help?

After 40 years in prison Karen Brown’s supporters are working to free her. Currently they are seeking a commutation from Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

Visit her website here

Karen faces an uphill battle towards freedom. Kentucky has no second look laws, which could provide relief to long-incarcerated individuals like her.

We will continue to record Karen Brown’s commentaries because we know that her continued incarceration is a denial of the humanity she expresses through her art, her writing, her work in the chapel, with the hospice team, and through her endless compassion. Says Karen, “I stay strong for my family and friends, and I want to be a blessing to other people; help them change and learn. Yes, I admit I’m tired. That doesn’t keep me from staying true to my character.”

Toward Freedom,

Jo Morrison, Prison Radio Office Manager

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