Jena Shelton's Struggle by Ben Pernu

Jena Shelton had a middle-class upbringing in Newcastle, Okla. Her mom was a teacher, and her dad worked at a car dealership. “You get used to having that kind of a lifestyle,” Jena said, “with money available.”

But when her job as a consultant for Ramada Inn didn’t allow her to live as she was accustomed, Jena started gaining money dishonestly.

Looking back, Jena wishes she had stayed home longer. She knows now her parents gave her good advice, but she didn’t listen when she was younger.

Instead, Jena started working different types of scams, including getting multiple bank loans for one new car. She did this for five years, until she admits, “I got sloppy.”

Shelton was found guilty of Obtaining Money Under False Pretenses, and sentenced to 8 years in prison. Jena spent time in Mable Bassett Correctional Center, but is currently in the Warrior Correctional Center.

After the lack of freedom at Mable Bassett, the relative freedom offered at Eddie Warrior was frightening for a while. “I was afraid to walk around at first,” she said.

Jena never feels unsafe at Eddie Warrior. She described it as being like a very strict college campus. She said all the prisoners are laid back, just waiting to go home. While incarcerated, Jena has spent a lot of time working in the saddle shop as a designer.

“I dabbled in art before I was incarcerated, but it turned into a job in here,” she said.

Jena’s saddle designs can be seen all over the state, but she no longer works at the saddle shop. She has kept to busy in prison to continue to work there.

“I teach English GED courses, and I’m working on my associate’s degree,” Jena said. “I just didn’t have time to keep working at the saddle shop.”

Jena gets out in six months. She has a house in Oklahoma City waiting for her, and a full ride to Vo-Tech in their Saddle and Boot Making School. She will have three years’ probation, and then she will be a free woman.

“It’s important to go home. I’m ready.”

A TU biology major, Ben Pernu (pictured above) is also working on a certificate in journalism studies.