The Explosion of Connecticut’s Prison Population

Danielle Metz became pregnant at 17 and later married an abusive man. Her husband also dealt drugs. To placate him and avoid abuse, she sometimes helped pick up cocaine and collected drug payments from Western Union. After her husband beat her up, she left him and took their young kids with her. Two months later, she was indicted. The prosecutor wanted her to testify against her husband. Because she was not very knowledgeable, she was unable to trade useful information in exchange for a lower sentence. She was convicted and sentenced for life. Danielle has served more than 20 years behind bars.