DRUGS LAND MANY WOMEN IN PRISON

Emily Linville grew up hearing how to illegally call in a drug
prescription. It was that knowledge that landed her, a sister and
their mother in Tulsa County's Drug Court at the same time. But, only
Linville has graduated from Drug Court.

Her sister, Mary Beth Linville, 25, violated program rules and was
sent to prison in January to serve four years for prescription drug
fraud and bogus checks.

Their mother, Mary Kathleen Linville, 52, was charged Dec. 16 with
four counts on attempting to obtain prescription drugs by fraud. Her
previous convictions include prescription drug fraud in 2007 and 2008
and an escape from prison. In 2004, she was convicted in Creek County
of prescription drug fraud.

"It makes me angry and sad because it's not like they are facing
anything bigger than what I have," said Linville, 20. "If I can do
it, they can."

Drug-related offenses account for about 12 percent of arrests among
females in Oklahoma, while about 50 percent of women in prison are
there on drug-related convictions, according to federal and state crime data.

The average sentence in the state for women in drug-related
convictions is 5 1/2 years, according to a Tulsa World analysis of
prison sentences since 2000.

Drug court participation in Oklahoma has increased from about 1,500
in 2005 to about 4,200 currently, as more counties add programs.

In Sunday's World, read more of the latest installment in a
continuing series of stories in which Oklahoma Watch, the Tulsa World
and The Oklahoman are examining the issue of Oklahoma's female
incarceration rate.

Continuing coverage on Oklahoma's women in prison : Read related
stories, watch videos, view graphics and learn more about Oklahoma Watch.