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Lane Garrison Gets Sober, Schooled Behind Bars

E! News learns Prison Break star has entered substance-abuse program at Tehachapi prison

By Gina Serpe, Ken Baker Aug 04, 2008 3:57 PMTags
Lane GarrisonNick Ut/AP Photo

Lane Garrison has made a prison break for the better.

Just as he marked his one-year anniversary behind bars, the onetime Prison Break inmate has entered a substance-abuse program at the medium-security California state prison at Tehachapi, E! News has learned.

"Lane put his name on the waiting list months ago and was just accepted," said a prison source.

The 28-year-old, who is serving a 40-month sentence for alcohol-related vehicular manslaughter, was previously doing time at Corcoran State Prison but was transferred earlier this summer to Tehachapi, near Bakersfield—his eighth relocation in under a year.

Initially housed with the general population, Garrison has been transferred to a different bunk and dorm since enrolling in the new treatment program.

"He's now living with other inmates who are serving time for drug- and alcohol-related crimes," a source close to the actor said. "For the first time, Lane is in a place where he can see a glimpse of hope of turning his mistake into something positive.

"He has wanted to help people learn from his experience since it happened, and now he can. This program is allowing him to cocounsel other inmates and focus on rehabilitation."

Further making use of his time behind bars, Garrison is working toward earning a political science degree, finishing a final exam for his first class just last week, E! News has also learned.

Although Garrison was sentenced to 40 months for the DUI crash that left a 17-year-old Beverly Hills High School student dead, he could be out in half that term, once credit for time served and good behavior is factored in, and released as early as next year.