Statistics show violent crimes among women in New Jersey and across the country are on the rise. News 12 New Jersey?s Karla Roth was granted permission to spend some time with three women convicted of such crimes at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in Clinton.

Ammeenah Jones is serving four years. Jones, who said she used to sell drugs, is a former Newark gang member who landed behind bars after beating someone up during a robbery.

?I turned to selling drugs and living a fast life. It takes a split second and then you end up in a place like this,? Jones said.

Kathleen Dunleavey has two years left on her 10-year sentence for manslaughter in Camden County. Dunleavey said she had a heroin addiction. She blames drugs for her conviction in the robbery and death of a businessman in Maple Shade.

?When you have an addiction, you don?t think straight,? Dunleavey said.

Kelli Brown is serving five years for her role in the death of a teenager in Brick Township. Brown said her drug addiction drove her to the streets of Newark on a daily basis to buy heroin. She said she purchased drugs for a teenager, who died after shooting up. That?s why she ended up behind bars.

Most of the female convicts who?ve committed violent crimes blame them on drugs or drug addictions.

?You don?t wake up one day and say I?m going to be a drug addict,? Brown said. ?It started out social and it progressed.