Amy Senser Sentenced to Prison – in Shakopee

People were watching Monday morning for the sentencing of Amy Senser for the hit-and-run death of Anousone Phanthavong. 

The Star Tribune is reporting Senser will spend 41 months in prison. Since the incident, Senser has denied knowing that she hit someone and apologized to the family Monday in court.

She will serve her time in Shakopee, since it is the only in the state.

"We only have one prison in Minnesota for adult female offenders," said John Schadl, Minnesota Department of Corrections spokesman.

He said the only other option is to house women in facilities outside the state, but due to the cost, they try not to do that.

"She won't be treated any differently than any other offender," Schadl added.

According to KSTP-TV News, Senser arrived at the on Monday afternoon. 

According to sentencing guidelines, Senser will spend two-thirds of her sentence in prison and spend the remaining time on supervised release. There is no time off for good behavior in the state of Minnesota, Schadl said. 

She will likely hold a job at the prison and the first job for many offenders in Shakopee is in the kitchen, according to Schadl. 

Earlier this year, attempts by the Minnesota Department of Corrections and Gov. Mark Dayton to include a $5+ million fence in –failed. The prison, which resembles a college campus with multiple buildings, has only a hedge keeping people inside. 

What do you think? Should Senser be doing prison time? Is it an appropriate sentence?

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