The troubled ‘Teen Mom’ star hit rock bottom in June when she was sentenced to five years in prison for failing to complete a drug rehab program. But Amber is desperately trying to get her life back on track to set a good example for her three-year-old daughter Leah.

Amber Portwood, 22, had been on a downward spiral ever since appearing on MTV’s 16 & Pregnant and Teen Mom, including legal charges for domestic violence and drug use. But her incarceration at the Rockville Correctional Facility in Indiana has been a blessing in disguise, and forced the former drug addict to finally clean up her life for the sake of precious Leah Shirley, 3.

Amber, who has been locked up since June 14, has not yet seen her daughter in nearly four months because ex-boyfriend and baby daddy Gary Shirley refuses to visit or bring their child.

However, that hasn’t stopped the former Teen Mom star from trying to set a good example for her little girl.

“Amber is well aware she hasn’t exactly been the model mom for Leah, and she will do anything to make it right,” a source told RadarOnline.com. “It took time, but she’s now taking a hard, long look at herself in the mirror and realizing she needs to make it up to her daughter.”

She’s using her time in jail to really focus on herself, and get involved in positive activities that will be beneficial in the long run, including singing in the church choir and working out.

“Amber also keeps a diary of her days inside,” the source said. “The writing is helping her find peace within herself – something she’s longing for after the regret of letting her daughter down one too many times.”

Rockville Correctional Facility even hold parenting classes, which the source said Amber was “quick to sign up for.”

“If it helps her be a better mom to Leah, then she thinks it’s worth doing. Amber wants to use this experience to make herself a better person.”

Amber expressed her frustration to Dr. Drew Pinksy for the MTV special Amber Behind Bars, which airs on Oct. 9.

“I’ve sent papers to Gary to sign twice so he could bring Leah to see me, but he hasn’t done that,” Amber told Dr. Drew. “It makes me feel like I don’t even matter – I never mattered,.”

What do YOU think HollyMoms? Do YOU think Amber is finally on the right path?

– Christina Stiehl

More Amber Portwood news:

1. Gary Shirley: Keeping Leah From Amber Portwood Is Damaging — Experts Say
2. Amber Portwood In Tears: ‘I Don’t Even Matter’ To Baby Leah
3. Amber Portwood Protected In Jail By Inmate Named Sugarfoot