When she was born, Jamie’s parents were having problems. Jamie and her mother ended up living with three Mennonite sisters on a small farm. Her mother soon left, leaving Jamie in the care of the sisters. These women cared for Jamie, eventually becoming her guardians.

The sisters provided a strict social environment in which to raise Jamie. Chaffing under the restrictions, Jamie rebelled. By the time she was 18, she was married to a young man recently released from prison, and she found herself involved in a murder perpetrated by her husband. For being an accomplice, Jamie received a 10-year prison sentence, and another two years for grand larceny for taking a briefcase from the person they murdered.

Entering prison at age 18, Jamie left at age 30. In a newspaper article upon her release, she is quoted as saying, "I don't know anything about real life.” 

Her re-entry into society has been complicated by depression, for which she was treated in prison. Now that she is out, she is finding it impossible to pay for the prescriptions. This in turn has made keeping a job difficult since workplace stress becomes unbearable when she is deeply depressed.

Jamie was released without parole, for which she is thankful. But no parole also can translate into little or no assistance in accessing the community services that she needs.

Of the three guardians who raised her, only one remains. The two get together frequently. Her guardian plays a supportive role for Jamie as she finds her place in society.