CNN Hero: Life after Prison
SUSAN BURTON, COMMUNITY CRUSADER: I'm writing in regards to my parole plan. I'm 21 years old with two strikes (ph). I'm scared to relapse again. I want to be a success story. Please hold a bed for me. We all leave prison saying I'm going to get my life on track, and you end up getting off a bus, downtown Los Angeles, Skid Row. People know who you are when you come off that bus, and you're targeted. Many times you don't even make it out of the Skid Row area before you're caught up into that cycle again. My name is Susan Burton. After my son died, I used drugs. I just spiraled into a pit of darkness. I went to prison six times. Finally, I found rehab, and I thought, I can help women come home from prison. I pick them up, bring them back to the house. Here's some jeans.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Miss Burton is like a mother to all of us. She offers you a warm bed, food, like a real family.</s>BURTON: I want to see you shine.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She made me want to change my life. You proud of me, Miss Burton?</s>BURTON: Sure. You came a long way. I want the women to realize that they have something to contribute. This is giving life. That's what it's all about.