Oklahoma Prisoner Gets Life Changing News From Governor Fallin

Nearly two dozen Oklahoma prisoners received the best Christmas present they could imagine; their freedom. Governor Mary Fallin commuted the sentences of 21 non-violent offenders this week.

Related Story: Fallin Commutes Sentences Of 21 Oklahoma Prisoners 

Pamela Belk is one of 21 people to have their sentences commuted by Governor Mary Fallin. She said she couldn't believe her ears when the governor called her and told her she was getting out of prison.

“First question she asked me was, ‘do I believe in second chances?’," said Belk.

Pamela Belk said she was in shock when she picked up the phone and heard Governor Mary Fallin herself on the other end of the line.

"She said she was signing my commutation papers and Merry Christmas, and that I was leaving prison today," said Belk.

Most of the prisoners Governor Fallin freed were serving time for drug offenses. Belk said she was sentenced to 42 years for possession of methamphetamine in 2016.

"Probably felt that I needed to be in prison, but not for that long," said Belk.

Belk said she started using meth after she lost her mother. But since being in prison, she said she's clean and has stayed focused on other things like getting her GED.

"I want to volunteer, I want to give back. Great things were given to me, and I want to pay it forward," said Belk.

And now, she'll have those opportunities after walking out the front doors of Mabel Bassett Correctional Center Wednesday.

"I was sentenced to 42 years, so I figured I'd be doing a lot of prison time. It took a lot of praying and getting right with God to find out he's got other plans," she said.

Belk is heading home to Kansas City Thursday to reunite with her husband and daughters.

"One of the first things I'm going to do with my daughter is take our shoes off and go put our feet in the grass," said Belk.

Chief Public Defender Corbin Brewster said there are nine more prisoners who could have their sentences commuted before the end of this year.