'Teen Mom' Amber Portwood Released from Prison on Nov. 6: 'She's Grown and Matured,' Brother Says
"Teen Mom" star Amber Portwood is scheduled to be released from prison on November 6, a full four years earlier than her five-year sentence required. She has completely changed and matured, Portwood's brother said.
"She's really grown and matured," Shawn Portwood told OK! Magazine. "She completed her drug rehab, she got her G.E.D., she completed parenting classes and she became the administrator of the CLIFF program, which helps inmates get sober. She did so well in cleaning herself up that she spend most of her jail time helping other girls get clean."
Amber voluntarily entered prison after admitting that she could not get clean on her own, or through an outpatient program. She was sentenced to five years and has dutifully served nearly one year of that sentence. One of the hardest aspects for the "Teen Mom" was giving parental custody to ex-boyfriend, and baby daddy, Gary Shirley.
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"He has a new girlfriend now," Shawn said. "She's very nice and cares for Leah well. Most of Amber's problems revolved around Gary, so it's a hot issue. He can keep Leah away from Amber, and in the past when that's happened, it triggers Amber in a bad way. Her demeanor has changed, so that will help."
Shirley currently has full custody of 4-year-old Leah; Amber made the decision to give him custody in order to prevent her from being placed in foster care by Child Protective Services. CPS got involved in their situation after Amber abused Gary repeatedly and was repeatedly arrested for drug abuse. However, Shawn insists that his sister "wants none of that life anymore."
Amber's life was documented on "Teen Mom," MTV's groundbreaking series about young mothers. Viewers watched as Amber and Gary's relationship fell apart and Amber's life began to spin out of control. They also saw her make the decision to give custody of Leah to Gary, in her best interest.
"She's grown up far more than I thought she would," Shawn said of his sister. "When I talk to her, she's changed."
