NORWICH – A mother with drug addiction and a history of probation violations said the court “saved her life,” and she was sent to prison after being discharged from a drug treatment program.
On Nov. 22, 2013 Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr. said to 26-year-old Norwich resident, Desiree Prosser, at her sentencing for the class E felony of promoting prison contraband in the first degree, “If over that four and a half years you are on probation, you repeat the same behavior, I promise you that I will send you to prison.”
According to District Attorney Joseph A. McBride, Prosser had sent an envelope that contained a card and heroin to her boyfriend while he was incarcerated at the Chenango County Correctional Facility.
McBride also said while Prosser was conditionally released before her sentencing in 2013, she put urine up her sleeve and lied about her results.
“She made a big scene and blamed the county employees and accused them of lying about her behavior,” said McBride at Prosser's 2013 sentencing.
Prosser's public defender, John Cameron, said Prosser had tested positive for heroin, made an error in judgement and would be an “excellent candidate for drug treatment court.”
“I am sorry. It was a mistake. There is nothing I can really say,” said Prosser.
Prosser pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months of incarceration at the county jail and five years of probation, less time spent in detention. She was also required to successfully complete drug treatment court.
More than a year later, Prosser reappeared in Chenango County Court. She had already been removed from drug treatment court for failing to comply with the conditions of treatment, but she was participating in treatment at the Elizabeth House in Troy.
According to the court, Prosser had almost successfully completed treatment at the Elizabeth House and had received excellent reports from the staff there.
A few months later, on May 4, 2015, she was arraigned for violating the terms of her probation because she did not successfully complete the Elizabeth House treatment program and was discharged from the program.
Cameron said he believe the Shock Incarceration program would be the “best chance of her overcoming her addiction.”
Revoir agreed and said Shock has a “therapy component, drug and alcohol component and physical fitness component.”
Prosser said to Revoir, “I am sorry for what I have done in the past. This has saved my life. I am in recovery and 236 days clean. I have been using since I was 13.”
Prosser said her mother died of addiction at the age of 28-years-old and that the only difference between her and her mother is that “so far she made it out alive.”
“I just want to be a mom,” said Prosser. “...I am feeling my emotions and overcoming my past, [the abuse].”
“If it wasn't for [the Elizabeth House treatment program], I wouldn't be here. I would probably be dead in a ditch somewhere,” she added.
On May 15, 2015, reappeared in Chenango County Court to be sentenced for her violation of probation.
“Everyone in community and throughout the state has tried to get you off the drugs... you had a problem and hopefully you will get some tools to change people, places and things,” said Revoir. “You lost every other alternative now besides state prison.”
“It looks like we are throwing in the towel. We're not throwing in the towel. We just have to ratchet it up a notch. I haven't given up on you. I've seen the other side of you, and you can change your life,” he added.
Revoir reminded Prosser of her two boys, and said she will be a good mom to them if she changes her life.
“Whether you do or do not do the Shock program,” said Revoir to Prosser. “Take advantage of all the tools that are available in state prison.”
Prosser was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence of one and a third to four years in the New York State Department of Corrections with a strong recommendation of participation in the Shock Incarceration program.