Amber Portwood Released from Prison, Sets Goals; Brother Asks for Prayers

"Teen Mom" star Amber Portwood was released from prison yesterday after serving 17 months of a 5-year sentence. The single mother said she has goals for her future, and her brother asked for prayers as his sister adjusts to her new life.

"I want to go get something good to eat," Portwood said as she left the prison. Radar Online was there for her release and managed to capture some of the excitement and relief as Portwood left the facility. "I'm going to college," she added before saying that she hopes to soon have joint custody of daughter Leah with her ex-boyfriend Gary Shirley.

"That's the goal," Portwood explained. "That's what's gonna happen," she said before getting into a family member's vehicle and finally leaving the prison.

It's been a rocky experience for the "Teen Mom" star who chose a prison sentence over outpatient treatment for anger management and drug rehab. She later explained that she needed more intense help and thought that prison was the right choice; her change in behavior and attitude has now led to her early release and sobriety.

"That is the one difference that I see in her most," brother Shawn told Radar previously. "She does not get nearly as angry as she used to. In addition, she nearly never curses, and when she does, it is not that vulgar. These programs have helped her immensely and changed her thought process, which is something she told me needed to be changed."

"She has taken the steps to better herself, which is more than what many would do," Shawn noted. "It is not often that you hear about someone who has their whole life ahead of them agree to do something like Amber did, which is agree to a prison term. If you are religious, then say a prayer for her. If you are hateful, then say a prayer for yourself."
Portwood will have to follow up with a parole officer and likely be subjected to random drug tests to ensure that she stays clean, but she has her entire family's support, as well as support from "Teen Mom" fans and co-stars.

"This is AWESOME. Teen Mom's Amber Portwood has been released from prison four years early!!!" tweeted co-star Jenelle Evans.

Portwood was given a microphone upon her release, leading to speculation that she may be filming a special about her release and new life. Shirley and daughter Leah were reportedly flown out to Indiana to meet Portwood after her release, courtesy of MTV.