My name is Carmen Ortiz. I am 36 years old and I've been incarcerated since April of 1998. My out date is July 2010. I have been charged with murder and robberies.

If someone I just met asked me what my daily life is like I would say it is about accomplishing positive things today. I made some bad decisions and choices back in 1998 that I regret, but it made me a better person today. It built my character and changed the way I think and do things. It's all about learning and growing today and about accomplishments.

How would I describe prison to someone who had never experienced it? A "big eye-opener". There are rules to follow, because you no longer have freedom and all the material things are gone - you just have to adjust to a totally new way of living.

What are some of the tougher aspects of being a woman in prison? Missing my child, the lack of privacy and trying not to be influenced by the negativity that goes on in prison. Working on change within myself, considering the environment I am confined to.

Some of the things I miss from my life before prison? Being with my daughter, cooking for her, my freedom,- just human contact with the ones you love - driving a car, eating my favorite foods or wearing normal clothes, taking a nice hot shower or bath by myself. I miss even the smallest things I took for granted while I was out there.

Are there any positive moments I've experienced while in prison? Yes - school, working out, drug treatments, acting in theater, extra groups, bible study and church service. The motivational speakers that come out to speak to the women in here have made such a big impact on my life and I am so blessed today. Yes, I have experienced many positive things in here and people have really touched my heart.

Was it hard to adjust to the fact that I was going to be spending a lot of time in prison? Of course. It was hard because I was used to living such a different lifestyle and when I received my sentence I was devastated. I thought I was going to die and never see my only child or my family again. I felt so alone and scared but I started to meet people that were positive. People that had done time and were guiding me to do positive things and that gave me some hope to carry on. When you do positive things you get positive results and you start to adjust and deal with things in a positive way.

Do I have any regrets? Of course I do and I wish I could have done things differently. But, I made a big mistake and hung around some negative people and on the other hand, everything I went through was a big learning experience for me. It just made me a stronger person and it has built my character.

If I could leave prison for one day I would want to spend it with my family and my daughter. I would tell them how much I love them and appreciate them and thank them for never giving up on me and for always being by my side and loving me unconditionally. I would just give them all lots of hugs and kisses and laugh and joke with them.