LOS ANGELES, March 22 (UPI) -- Reality television personality Amber Portwood says she opted to serve time in prison because she thought she would be dead if she went to rehab instead. The Teen Mom OG star began her 17 months behind bars in 2012.
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Oct 10, 2012 · Amber Portwood baffled fans of the "Teen Mom" franchise when she chose to go to prison rather than the drug rehab program she was offered. Dr. Drew Pinsky sat down with Portwood on "Amber Behind Bars," and she explained just how desperate she'd become.
Does Amber have custody of James?
The exes share joint legal custody, allowing the Teen Mom OG star three unsupervised visits a week with James.
Does Amber Portwood have a felony?
In October 2019, Amber pleaded guilty to the two felony charges of domestic battery and intimidation, according to Indiana state records. She was sentenced to 900 days of probation, as well as a suspended 910-day jail term.Oct 12, 2021
Why is Amber Teen Mom in jail?
JAIL TIME. Amber was sentenced to five years in prison for prescription drug possession and probation violation. The Teen Mom OG star was released from jail early in 2013 for good behavior and according to the jail's spokesperson, she participated in a substance abuse program while in prison.Oct 12, 2021
Does Gary have custody of Leah?
The exes have been coparenting their baby boy since her July 2019 domestic battery arrest and their subsequent breakup. The California native has primary physical custody, sharing joint legal custody with Portwood.Jan 26, 2022
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"It wasn't just the program," she explained. "It was the fact of being alone. It was personal. You know being alone, feeling like you're hopeless, you have nothing, feeling like an addict and you're never going to change, even though in your mind you're working so hard but every time you get to court it's not good enough."
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And this wasn't the first time. The MTV star tried to commit suicide in June 2011 and Gary Shirley — her on-off boyfriend and father of daughter Leah, 3 — called 911.
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While Portwood is in prison she plans to get her life back on track. "I'm not just going to sit," she said. "I'm going to substance-abuse classes. I'm going to get my GED."