Mechie, an incarcerated woman serving a life sentence at a Pennsylvania prison, learned early on that she needed to advocate for her own health behind bars. Over the decades and as she grew older, she says she witnessed many friends grow ill and die behind bars. Then, in her late 60’s, she discovers that she too has breast cancer. As Mechie recounts the challenges of getting older – and sicker – in prison, we explore the particular health challenges that older women face while incarcerated. 

This is part two of “Released To Die,” a three-part miniseries that explores what it means to have a chance to die free. 

Illustrations by Alex Charner

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Episode credits:

Host: Maria Hinojosa

Producer and Reporter: Julieta Martinelli 

Editor: Marlon Bishop

Fact Checker: Roxana Aguirre

Sound Designer: Jacob Rosati 

Production Manager: Victoria Estrada

Social Media: Luis Luna and Essam Aljahmi

Engineer: Stephanie Lebow and Julia Caruso 

Managing Editor: Fernanda Echavarri

Executive Producers: Peniley Ramírez, Maria Hinojosa and David Luis ‘Suave’ Gonzalez