Amber Portwood Released From Jail, Rejected by Halfway House

By Sami K. Martin, Christian Post Reporter Friday, February 24, 2012

Amber Portwood still has a long way to go in her attempt to get her life back together.

The "Teen Mom" star was sentenced two months ago to jail time and served her punishment, yet it is still not over. Portwood was to be released into the care of a halfway house, but Sister 2 Sister Ministries has rejected her application for admission.

Sources told TMZ that Portwood was deemed "too much of a handful and embodies too much negative energy to benefit from its program." Portwood is not upset at the denial, though, as she will remain free and able to star on the upcoming season of "Teen Mom." Had she been admitted into the halfway house, cameras would have been prevented from filming.

Portwood's mom, Tonya, told E! News, "Amber is so happy and relieved that she won't have to live at the halfway house. And now she will get to spend more time with her daughter, which is what this was all about anyway."

Actually, it was supposed to be about Portwood serving time for breaking the law and getting the help she needs to overcome alcohol and drug addiction. She has been arrested several times for domestic violence against fiancée Gary Shirley and now for possession of a controlled substance.

Portwood's bad behavior doesn't simply make for high TV ratings; it has a serious effect on the daily life of her 2-year-old daughter, Leah. Statistics prove that children who grow up in an abusive home can suffer severe consequences. According to E! News, "Portwood was sentenced to at least 18 months -- and a maximum of three years -- in the program and would have to appear at a drug court hearing every week."

The new season of "Teen Mom" will premiere on April 3; to date, Portwood has not filmed any scenes. Judge David Happe told Portwood that she must get a full-time job in the "real world" as part of her successful completion of her sentence. She will continue to wear an electronic-monitoring device and be confined to her grandparents' home since she was evicted from her previous residence.

It was reported earlier that Portwood lied about her income in order to obtain federally subsidized housing. Now she has been released into the custody of her grandparents and will have full visitations with Leah; Gary currently has full custody of the child.

Before releasing her, Judge Happe noted: "The last thing we want to do is release you and have you commit another offense."