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Convicted Felon Speaks Out To Help OthersAn Anchorage woman is speaking out about her time behind bars in hopes of inspiring other women that there is life after prison.Related Content
For the first time in 10 years Anchorage resident Darlena Fritzler, 37, is speaking out about being a convicted felon in hopes of inspiring other women to continue moving forward with their lives.
Fritzler was convicted back in 2001 for embezzlement, and was sentenced to nine years behind bars. She served 5 1/2 years at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center in Eagle River and was released in 2006. “My crime was 10 years ago and I’m just now starting to kind of be comfortable with who I am,” she said. When she found out she was going to prison, she said she was devastated. Fritzler recalls the hardest part about serving time was having little support from loved ones, and being away from her daughter, who was just a teenager. “It’s being away from your family and the pain you caused them, and the pain you caused the community and your victim,” she said. She also said she regrets not apologizing to the family right away, and as the years went by, she felt it was too late to express how sorry she was. After more than four years behind bars and countless job applications, she was able to land a job with the Anchorage YWCA, a non-profit organization that helps empower women with a variety of resources. “It’s a new beginning in doing the things that I love,” she said. Fritzel is now remarried, working, and trying to move on with her life with her family by her side. She is also reaching out to convicted felons by engaging with the community. |
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mikey said on Monday, Jun 20 at 3:13 PM
glad to hear such a positive story, most people think about the next easy way to score money when they get out, only way to get anywhere in life is work.
69348684John said on Monday, Jun 20 at 5:18 PM
Anybody know how much she embezzled and if it was all "recovered"
69353457Brian said on Monday, Jun 20 at 9:23 PM
Felon...A label attached to someone who broke the law, got caught, and served thier time. When do these people get to rebuild thier life with the stigma of that label. Do you punish your kids for life for every bad mistake? Rediculous to think that they don't deserve the the same opportunity as someone who hasn't been caught for breaking the law. You know it can happen to you, even by accident or happenstance. Lighten up on the label.
69362996Misty Circle said on Tuesday, Jun 21 at 7:26 AM
As social animals we need a way to determine how to interact safely with those around us. When people lived in small family groups it was easy to differentiate between those who could be trusted to make choices that would benefit the group, and those who couldn't. Today we use labels. They are both a deterrent and a warning; felons can rebuild the trust they have forfeited, but society needs to know the choices its members have made. If behavior had no consequences what benefit would there be to obeying the law?
69382206Supporter said on Thursday, Jun 23 at 11:53 AM
It is refreshing to see someone focus on the positive changes that can be made in ones life. To John (above): your question has no basis in this story. It is important to note that the more this woman helps others succeed, the more we all benefit as a society. Good work and keep on keeping on!
69529819Mary said on Wednesday, Jun 29 at 8:47 PM
John: You can go to public access and search court records and look up her history. Not much is found under her current last name Fritzler but I did find Her alias names that she used. Darlena Sampson, Darlena Eaves, Darlena Swartzbacker and Raina Eaves.
69913596Darlena said on Friday, Jul 15 at 12:54 PM
Mary - Yes, I have all of those Aliases, all of which were LEGAL names, I was married twice, Sampson is my maiden name and I LEGALLY changed my first name to Raina for personal reasons. It proved to be too confusing for everyone so I LEGALLY changed my first name back to my birth name when I LEGALLY went back to my maiden name. This can also all be seen in courtview. Anyone can dig into my past but it will not change my mission or who I am today. I wish you well.
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