Susan Smith, a 53-year-old woman who was convicted of drowning her two young sons in a lake in 1994, has reportedly become a “complete nightmare” behind bars, according to a Leath Correctional Institution employee. Smith, who is serving a life sentence, was denied parole on November 20 after spending 30 years incarcerated.
The employee claimed that Smith, who was previously cooperative and helpful, has become rude and belligerent since being denied parole. This drastic change in behavior has led the employee to believe that Smith’s previous good behavior was just an act to get out of prison.
Susan Smith was convicted of murdering her two sons, 3-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alexander, by strapping them into the back seat of her car and letting it roll into John D. Long Lake in Union, South Carolina, on October 25, 1994. She was convicted of the crimes on July 22, 1995, and was sentenced to life in prison.
Smith was denied parole due to the nature and seriousness of the crime and her institutional record of offenses. During her parole hearing, Smith appeared emotional and crying, apologizing for her actions and stating that she wished she could take them back.
Her ex-husband, David Smith, attended the hearing and asked the court to deny her parole, stating that she had made a free choice that night to end their sons’ lives. Smith’s behavior behind bars has raised concerns about her ability to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.
