Gretchen, dressed in an orange prison uniform and restrained with handcuffs and shackles, was escorted into the room by a prison guard. She looked dispirited as she said, “I said I don’t have any family left. Who’s here to see me?”

“She’s right here,” the prison guard responded sternly, pushing Gretchen into a chair in front of the glass window. In a deep voice, he added, “You have ten minutes for your conversation.” With that, he exited the room, closing the door behind ...