Summary

Chapter 21 opens with startlingly good news: Lee calls to tell Blakinger that her release date has been moved up to September 28, 2012. They do not know how this happened, but they decide not to draw attention to the change. They are both grateful for good news, but then Blakinger realizes that another prison stands between her and freedom. She has been approved for a drug treatment program and work release at Taconic, the only prison at which she has no friends at all. Blakinger is terrified of work release because the rules are so specific and byzantine. She has heard stories of women messing up and losing their release date altogether.

The guards wield great power at Taconic, and the inmates are afraid to defy them. One of the male guards suggests that Blakinger stand naked at the next head count, and she has...