
After Michael tells Sara about his planned escape, Sara is confronted with the decision whether she should help Michael or not. ( 1x19) However, after she discovers that Michael had stolen the keys from her, Sara distances herself yet again from him. ( 1x14) Her relationship with Michael deepens and they ultimately share a kiss in the infirmary. On Lincoln Burrows' execution day, Sara went to her father to ask him to review Lincoln's case after Michael pleaded with her. ( 1x11) However, she continues to help Michael in subsequent episodes despite their relationship. Sara becomes jealous though and distances herself from Michael when she discovers he had a conjugal visit from his " wife". She searches for clues about Michael's background, and though she knows that something is utterly suspicious, she can't stop herself from being attracted to him.

Sara later finds out that he lied to her which further encourages her to try to figure out what would possess him to rob a bank and end up in prison. He claims that he knew his way around because of his previous assignation to clean out the toxic mold for PI (Prison Industry). Michael eventually rescues her using the cross space up on the ceiling. After a riot broke out, Sara was temporarily trapped by herself at sick-bay with the prisoners planning to rape her. When she was required to conduct a medical check-up for Lincoln Burrows, she discovers from Katie that Lincoln is Michael's brother.

In Michael's subsequent visits to the infirmary, Sara carefully deflects all his attempts to charm her. However, she dismisses it after his test passed. Later, she notices his nervousness as she tests for his glucose count to confirm his diabetes. After she checked his academic record, she was surprised that he had graduated with a master's degree. In their first meeting, Sara had sensed that Michael was different from the other prisoners.

Main article: Sara Tancredi on Season 1 " Pilot"

Due to her father's hectic political career and vastly differing beliefs, Sara did not have a close relationship with her father. Sara is the only child of the Governor of Illinois, Frank Tancredi. Her chosen occupation became a constant source of stress for her father. Sara Tancredi was one of the few doctors working at Fox River. ( 1x1) Another factor which contributed to her occupational choice was her past morphine addiction. She has also won at least one Humanitarians Award. While at Northwestern University, she was introduced to the works of Mahatma Gandhi and decided to become a humanitarian, which later influenced her decision to work at Fox River State Penitentiary. Raised in Chicago, Sara Tancredi's ambitions to be a doctor began when she was very young.
