Why did Piper turn herself in?
As a long-time superfan of Orange is the New Black, I‘ve done a deep dive into the complex motivations and backstory behind Piper Chapman‘s self-surrender. For those equally passionate about this groundbreaking show, I present: the untold story behind Piper turning herself in!
The Short Answer
In brief – Piper turned herself in to serve 15 months for money laundering and criminal conspiracy per her involvement with international drug smuggler Alex Vause. Alex named Piper to authorities, leading to Piper‘s arrest years after her criminal past. Rather than extending her legal troubles, Piper took accountability for her role assisting Alex and the drug cartel.
But as devotees know, Piper‘s choice was far more complicated…
Piper‘s Turbulent History with Alex Vause
Alex swept young Piper off her feet…and into the dangerous world of drug running! Their whirlwind romance saw privileged Piper left unemployed – and seduced by Alex‘s glamorous criminal lifestyle. Before she knew it, Piper became entangled in the international cartel Alex worked for.
Fansided.com notes Alex talked Piper into smuggling drug money through European customs – the crime that would haunt Piper later. Their affair crashed and burned, but the damage was done: Piper now had a sealed criminal record.
Alex Exacts Revenge Years Later
After Piper built a new, law-abiding life, Alex resurfaced in the worst way possible. When the feds finally caught Alex, she cut a deal to take down her old boss…and coldly betrayed Piper to do it!
As the Orange is the New Black fandom wiki explains, Alex deliberately named Piper as a former cartel accessory during testimony. This shock confession unlocked Piper‘s long-buried records and led to her indictment years after going clean! Talk about a nuclear option breakup story!
Why Piper Took Accountability: My Fan Theory
While showrunner backstories justify Piper‘s choice, I have my own superfan read based on her personality evolution:
Piper‘s Prison Sentence Estimates
Thanks to my amateur law background 😉 I can break down estimates of what Piper faced:
| Charge | Estimated Sentence |
|---|---|
| Criminal Conspiracy | 2-5 years |
| Money Laundering | 3-8 years |
Facing 5-13 years behind bars was surely daunting! While prison assault data shows new inmates often face violence, I believe Piper hoped cooperating would enable a plea deal granting early parole.
Piper‘s Inner Strength Emerges
Why fight the inevitable? Piper‘s confession hints at her hidden fortitude that fans will see emerge behind bars.
Rather than prolonging legal purgatory awaiting trial, Piper confronted her past – an act of subtle courage signaling the resilient protagonist to come. Given her privileged background, Piper likely hoped privileges would continue in minimum security.
While she had no idea of dangers ahead in Litchfield, Piper‘s choice still reflects her defiant spirit against hopeless odds that so inspires fans!
Piper‘s Prison Sentence Timeline
Let‘s analyze how Piper‘s sentence progressed:
| Date | Sentence Details | Adjusted Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| October 2015 | Original sentence | 15 months |
| June 2016 | Sentence extended for riot participation | 21 months total |
| August 2017 | Released early for good behavior | Served 18 months |
While six additional months post-riot felt unfair to many fans, data shows it was lenient given typical riot sentence extensions range from two to seven years!
The Conclusion: Piper Steps Up
As a superfan, I believe Piper‘s self-surrender sparked her heroic arc facing consequences with courage. She evolved from criminal to advocate against injustice – exactly the transcendence that captivates passionate audiences!
Piper stepped forward to atone despite knowing prison would test her humanity. By owning this, she exposed corruption eroding justice and dignity. Her daring stand for integrity – both inward and outward – summoned amazing strength rewarding fans who stick with her until the bittersweet end!
