Cindy White, also known as Sarah Isabel White, is Indiana’s longest-serving female prisoner, incarcerated since 1976 for the 1975 fire that killed a Greenwood family of six. Born on June 2, 1957, in Greenwood, Indiana, Cindy was convicted at 18 of arson and six counts of felony murder in a case that shocked the country.
Now 66 years old (in 2025) and wheelchair-bound after multiple strokes, she has spent nearly five decades at Indiana Women’s Prison. Her story has become a key example in debates around trauma, sentencing reform, and the criminal justice system.
Cindy White Wiki/Bio
| Full Name | Sarah Isabel White |
| Date of Birth | June 2, 1957 |
| Age | 66 years (as of 2025) |
| Hometown | Greenwood, Indiana, USA |
| Current Residence | Indiana Women’s Prison, Indianapolis, IN |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | 1975 fire and arson case convictions |
Early Life
Cindy was born into a troubled home as the second of six children to Earl and Emma White. At just 8 years old, she allegedly became the victim of sexual abuse by her father, abuse that escalated in her teens. Her mother, struggling with alcoholism, ignored her pleas, reportedly telling Cindy to “stay away” from her father.
Cindy attempted suicide twice and was diagnosed with conversion reaction, a trauma-related condition causing temporary paralysis. Following her parents’ deaths, she was institutionalized in 1975. She later moved in with the Roberson family as a babysitter and claimed abuse by Charles Roberson, the man whose family perished in the fire she set.
Education
| Level | Institution/Details |
| Schooling | Greenwood-area public schools |
| Other | Psychiatric treatment and hospitalization |
Cindy’s education was interrupted by mental health struggles and family instability. A sex education class reportedly helped her identify the abuse she faced. No records suggest high school completion or further studies due to her arrest at 18.
Family Details
| Relation | Name/Info |
| Father | Earl White (deceased, alleged abuser) |
| Mother | Emma White (deceased, alcoholic) |
| Siblings | Five siblings, including sister Tracy Knight |
Cindy has five siblings, with Tracy Knight publicly supporting her clemency efforts. Both parents passed away before the 1975 fire. She has no spouse or children, having been incarcerated her entire adult life.
Net Worth
Cindy White has no known financial assets or income. She has spent her entire adult life in prison and has no documented work or property.
Controversies
- 1975 Fire Motive Debate: Prosecutors said she was a spurned lover; Cindy later claimed the fire was an escape from sexual abuse by Charles Roberson.
- Life Sentences Criticism: Many legal experts argue the sentence was excessive for a traumatized teen.
- Outdated Arson Evidence: Some fire science used to convict her has since been discredited.
- Clemency Rejections: Despite model behavior and poor health, Indiana has denied multiple clemency requests.
Recent Updates
- April 2024: IndyStar published a major feature on Cindy’s 48 years in prison and her attorney’s push for clemency.
- April 2024: Former prison staff and inmates described her as kind, quiet, and deeply remorseful.
- 2024: A Change.org petition titled “Free Sarah ‘Cindy’ White“ gained momentum.
- Feb 2024: Cindy gave an emotional interview detailing her trauma, guilt, and decades behind bars.
