One of the things about incarceration is that you're deprived. You lose all of your identity, and then its given back one… — Susan Burton Copy Share Image
The Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery other than in prisons - but it was a lie that you regained… — Susan Burton Copy Share Image
Each time I left prison, I left with the resolve to get my life together, to get a job, to get back… — Susan Burton Copy Share Image
I got caught back up in the underworld because the upperworld really doesn't have a place for people with criminal histories. — Susan Burton Copy Share Image
After six prison commitments, at the end of those, I was more broken than when I went into the system. — Susan Burton Copy Share Image
Because a woman goes to prison doesn't mean she's a bad mom - doesn't mean that she shouldn't have her children. — Susan Burton Copy Share Image
It has to be about more than punishment. We need to rehabilitate people. We lock up far too many people in America… — Susan Burton Copy Share Image
We keep a woman in prison for decade after decade at a cost of $60,000 a year, and then give them $200… — Susan Burton Copy Share Image
People are released from prison so unprepared. They give you $200. We call it gate money. And you have to pay for… — Susan Burton Copy Share Image
At the age of 46, in my sixth prison term, it was the second prison I was in - California Rehabilitation Center.… — Susan Burton Copy Share Image
Many times, I left the prison thinking, 'I'm smart. I can make it. I won't get caught up again.' But you get… — Susan Burton Copy Share Image
In prison, you're issued a number of sanitary pads per month. And many times, even when you're issued a number of sanitary… — Susan Burton Copy Share Image
Telling your story is transformative. For both the storyteller and their audience, a new bridge to understanding is created. — Susan Burton Copy Share
I can remember, as a child, the happy days of us all piling into the car and going to the drive-in. And that was… — Susan Burton Copy Share
I knew hundreds and hundreds of women like me, who had traveled in and out of prison in a revolving door. They needed support… — Susan Burton Copy Share
Everyone needs a place to live. Everyone needs a place to come home to every night. I don't understand why our society, our government,… — Susan Burton Copy Share
It's important the sheriff and the D.A. work with the community to realize real-world solutions. If they make decisions in silos, it will fall… — Susan Burton Copy Share
We all make mistakes. Sometimes people slip, but that doesn't mean they're not worthy of the support. — Susan Burton Copy Share
The person who has been convicted has served their time. Why would we continue to punish and exclude them from housing and jobs? Those… — Susan Burton Copy Share
One of the things about incarceration is that you're deprived. You lose all of your identity, and then its given back one day, and… — Susan Burton Copy Share
We know that the environment and political information is important, and we expose and teach the women about some of the environmental factors that… — Susan Burton Copy Share
If you don't have a new door to walk through, the only thing is the old door. — Susan Burton Copy Share
Most incarcerated women have stories that are similar to mine. They suffered great trauma as children. — Susan Burton Copy Share
A New Way of Life is a safe house that women can come to after they're released from prison in South Los Angeles. It's… — Susan Burton Copy Share
Many times, I left the prison thinking, 'I'm smart. I can make it. I won't get caught up again.' But you get off downtown… — Susan Burton Copy Share
